Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been drawing attention since local media reported that he is eyeing a comeback after Liz Truss announced her resignation.

The Conservative Party will choose a new leader next week.

Truss announced she was stepping down as party head on Thursday. She will also resign as prime minister as soon as a successor is chosen.

Truss set out a vision for growing the economy by cutting taxes. She decided to resign after being forced to reverse her policies. She said, "Given the situation, I cannot deliver the mandate on which I was elected by the Conservative Party."

Having been in office for only six weeks, Truss will be the shortest-serving prime minister in British history.

Any candidate running for the post of party leader needs the nominations of at least 100 lower house members. Nominations will close on Monday.

If only one candidate secures 100 nominations, that candidate automatically becomes party leader and prime minister on the same day.

Should there be two or more candidates, lawmakers will cast ballots and party members will vote online. The result will be announced on Friday of next week.

The local media have floated such names as former finance minister Rishi Sunak and former defense secretary Penny Mordaunt as leading candidates. But they have also reported that Johnson is seeking reelection.

Johnson led his party to a landslide victory in a general election in 2019, maintaining solid support within the party. But he was forced out last month by a series of scandals, including repeated parties at Downing Street during the COVID lockdown period.