Keir Starmer Resigns as British Prime Minister; Successor Race Begins

Keir Starmer, the British Prime Minister, announced his resignation on Monday morning, concluding a two-year tenure marked by persistent criticism. The announcement followed the departure of several government members in the preceding week. Starmer's resignation signifies the seventh change in leadership in the United Kingdom within ten years, a period that began with the Brexit referendum.

Starmer faced significant pressure, particularly due to disappointing results in the May 2026 local elections and his management of the Epstein affair. His party plans to select a successor before the parliamentary summer recess concludes in September, with Starmer remaining in office until then. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Manchester, is widely seen as the leading contender for the position. Burnham recently secured a seat in the House of Commons with 55 percent of the vote in a by-election.

Meanwhile, a separate report highlights that violence and bullying are daily occurrences in Berlin schools, according to a new study. Over half of teachers consider violence a major problem, and more than 90 percent of ninth-graders experienced some form of violence in the past year, ranging from insults to physical assaults. The study, "Berliner Konflikt- und Gewaltbarometer," is the most comprehensive empirical study on the threat situation and violent acts in German schools. The teachers' union, GEW, is calling for increased resources for school social work, citing severe limitations due to acute staff shortages.