After Boris Johnson's declaration of resignation, the field of interested successors keeps expanding.

Over the weekend, numerous other politicians announced their candidacy for the post of Tory party leader, who will also be the next prime minister.

It now seems possible that a dozen candidates could try their luck before the deadline.

However, Secretary of Defense Ben Wallace also lost out to a favorite.

Jochen Buchsteiner

Political correspondent in London.

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Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, who appeared on social media with a professional video, has received the most attention so far.

The design (and the early acquisition of the domain) fueled suspicions that his candidacy had been prepared for a long time and shed new light on his resignation, which on Tuesday had ushered in a spate of resignations and with it the political end of Johnson.

Newspapers from Downing Street, where Johnson wants to remain in office until his successor is elected, reported that his supporters wanted to prevent the "traitor" from winning.

Anonymous “briefings” were also circulating against other candidates, using disparaging references and rumours.

In his musically underlined video, which addressed the immigration history of his Indian family, the 42-year-old Sunak presented himself as a "serious candidate for serious times".

"Are we facing this moment with honesty, seriousness and determination, or are we telling ourselves fairy tales that will make us feel better for the moment but will make our children poorer in the future?" he asked.

This was interpreted as an attack on Johnson, who wanted to cut taxes and expand state aid at the same time.

With its commitment to budgetary discipline, Sunak stands out from almost all of its competitors.

Most promise radical tax cuts, including former ministers Sajid Javid and Jeremy Hunt, and incumbent Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, whose candidacy has been overshadowed by reports that he is under investigation for tax evasion.

Outsider candidates Tom Tugendhat, Suella Braverman and Kemi Badenoch also campaigned for greater relief for citizens.

Will the successor be decided before the summer break?

In addition to tax policy, political culture is emerging as a topic for the nomination of candidates.

After a Secretary of State close to Johnson was filmed giving the finger to protesters outside Downing Street, several candidates spoke out about the behavior of politicians.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps called for "high standards of decency towards all".

In her video, the candidate Penny Mordaunt resisted the personalization that had progressed further under Johnson.

"It should be a little less about the guide and a lot more about the ship," the clip said.

Consequently, Mordaunt refrained from making a personal appearance and only showed himself in a photo at the end of the video.

Secretary of State Liz Truss and possibly Home Secretary Priti Patel are also expected to stand as candidates in the coming days.

The unusually high proportion of women and politicians with a migration background is striking.

The procedure and timetable for the election are not to be announced until the beginning of this week.

The responsible "1922 Committee" of the conservative faction said at the weekend that the field would be reduced to two candidates by July 21 at the latest.

Should the runner-up then withdraw his candidacy, the change in prime ministership could take place before the summer break.

Otherwise, the members of the Conservative Party would probably have to elect their new leader by postal ballot by early September.