Boris Johnson prepares to take his place on world stage
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who has endeavored to lead his country since he was a boy, will get his first moment on the world stage in his new role at the Group of Seven summit in France this weekend. And he will be at pains to ensure it won't be his last.
The man whose boyhood dream was to be "world king" could be the shortest-serving prime minister in British history if he fails in his high-stakes gambit to force the European Union to reopen Brexit talks.
As Johnson prepares to meet with world leaders, including U.S. President Donald Trump, at the seaside resort of Biarritz, opponents at home are plotting to bring him down with a no-confidence vote after Parliament returns from its summer recess next month.
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson leaves after a visit to Torbay Hospital, south England Friday Aug. 23, 2019, after he welcomed a review into hospital food. (Finnbarr WebsterPool via AP)
A man fixes an image of President Donald Trump to a wooden pole as he prepares for an anti-G-7 demonstration at a camp near Hendaye, France Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. U.S. President Donald Trump will join host French President Emmanuel Macron and the leaders of Britain, Germany, Japan, Canada and Italy for the annual G-7 summit in the nearby elegant resort town of Biarritz. Other leaders faces on show are from left: German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte and French President Emmanuel Macron. (AP PhotoFrancois Mori)
A man wearing a mask President Donald Trump is joined by other 'world leaders' during a protest ahead of the G-7 summit in Biarritz, France Friday, Aug. 23, 2019. The European Union and Germany are backing French President Emmanuel Macron's call to put the Amazon fires on the agenda of this weekend's G-7 summit of world leaders in France. Other leaders are from left: Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte, French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. (AP PhotoPeter Dejong)
French President Emmanuel Macron bids farewell to Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Paris. Boris Johnson traveled to Berlin Wednesday to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel before heading to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. (AP PhotoDaniel Cole)
French President Emmanuel Macron, left, talks to Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson during their meeting at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, Aug. 22, 2019 in Paris. Boris Johnson traveled to Berlin Wednesday to meet with Chancellor Angela Merkel before heading to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. (Christophe Petit Tesson, Pool via AP)