Boris Johnson, virus-bitten, is in the ICU. So who is
in charge of the UK now? UK has no written constitution. Dominic Raab has been
appointed as Johnson’s stand-in (not to be confused with stand-up). He is
remembered as the Brexit secretary who didn’t know Dover was an important port
for the UK trade. His current approval rating is minus 17. He is young and not infected. Though a stand-in, Raab can’t
attend weekly meetings with the queen, and can’t write an action plan (letter of last resort) in the event UK along with its PM is wiped out in a nuclear
attack. This letter- writing is a privilege of every new PM.
Raab now runs a Zoom
cabinet that includes among others Michael Gove (in self-isolation because
of an infected family member); Matt Hancock, health secretary who tested
positive; chief advisor Dominic Cummings, infected and isolated; Lee Cain,
communications director with symptoms; and advisor Eddie Lister, 70, a
high-risk member.
Besides managing the Pandemic in the UK, Raab’s Zoom
cabinet will negotiate Brexit further with the EU’s negotiator, Michel Barnier,
who fell ill with Covid-19 three weeks ago.
*****
US Constitution has the most professional succession
plan. As systematic as for the British throne. Eighteen members queue up in
case anything happens to the President. Vice President Pence replaces Trump,
something America has waited for since 2017. If the virus sends them both to
intensive care, Nancy Pelosi, the house speaker, will become the acting
president. She is 80.
Unlike the UK, India has a written constitution, but
no clear succession system in place. In the past, it was easy - hereditary
rules applied. When Indira Gandhi was assassinated, her son Rajeev promptly
became the PM. Bachelor Modi rules out that option. India’s home minister is
the likely substitute, but Narendra Modi is the fittest member of the cabinet,
so this is theoretical.
*****
In France and Italy, the Senate’s president becomes
the acting president.
In Chinese language, the word succession doesn’t
exist.
Russia has a monocracy. As per Russia’s constitution,
the Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin will replace Putin if Putin were to be
incapacitated. But replacing Putin is a fantasy, because that man is
irreplaceable, virus or no virus.
Ravi
I suspect the US race of octogenials for the next presidency added considerably confidence in Putin to re-start his own new term. Something in contrast of what you expect for transitional time like what we witness now. Weird.
ReplyDeleteRussia, India will survive better than UK, USA 🙂
ReplyDeleteYou are right, Ravi. Dominic Raab does not look very confident in daily updates. Michael Gove is probably saving himself from difficult situation and also testing Boris. UK could be worse than Italy in coming weeks as people are still going out on the pretext of exercise. Conservative party chairman will call leadership contest if the leader falls in the battle with COVID-19.
ReplyDeleteGood to read your blogs, they are short and informative
ReplyDelete