Boris Johnson's election as the United Kingdom's Conservative Party leader and the man that will soon lead the country has been welcomed by world figures.
Johnson will be appointed by the Queen on Wednesday (local time) after defeating opponent Jeremy Hunt to become leader of the UK's governing party. He won the battle against Hunt with almost twice as many votes.
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Even before the leadership competition, Johnson had an international profile, well-known for his relentless gaffes as the mayor of London and foreign secretary in Theresa May's Government.
His mop-like hair, bombast, and populist streak have led to comparisons to US President Donald Trump, who welcomed Johnson's election on Wednesday.
"Congratulations to Boris Johnson on becoming the new Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He will be great!" Trump tweeted.
Speaking in Washington later in the day, Trump said he's a "really good man".
"He's tough and he's smart… they call him Britain Trump."
The President's daughter, Ivanka, tweeted her congratulations, but initially made a mistake by calling him the next Prime Minister of "the United Kingston". She deleted that and replaced it with the correct spelling.
New Zealand's National Party leader Simon Bridges tweeted within minutes of Johnson's election.
"Boris is a great friend of New Zealand."
Other Kiwi MPs have also sent their regards, including National MP Maggie Barry who met Johnson during his 2017 trip to New Zealand and was famously photographed introducing him to a tuatara.
Angela Merkel's spokesperson said the German Chancellor congratulated Johnson and committed to the ties of friendship between the UK and Germany.
Others to send warm wishes was French President Emmanuel Macron and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Even Iran's foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif congratulated Johnson, despite the current stoush between Iran, the UK and the US at the moment.
"Iran does not seek confrontation. But we have 1500 miles of Persian Gulf coastline. These are our waters & we will protect them," Zarif tweeted.
Newshub.
