- Republican Kevin McCarthy has missed the seventh attempt to be elected chairman of the US House of Representatives.
- Several Republican lawmakers from the party’s right wing again abdicated McCarthy.
- This resulted from the result of the oral vote, which still had to be formally confirmed by the head of the session in the Parliament Chamber.
There had been negotiations behind the scenes beforehand. McCarthy has reportedly taken another big step towards his party opponents ahead of the seventh round of voting to secure their votes and break the deadlock. The 57-year-old is said to have even agreed to further lower the hurdles for removing a chairman from the House of Representatives. He offers his opponents a means of pressure to chase him out of office at will.
This could have serious consequences and create even more instability when important decisions are due in Congress. The right-wing deputies could take the chamber hostage. McCarthy had already made much concessions to the renegades on this point – but without success. He is now showing a new level of “despair,” judged the broadcaster CNN.
Six elections have already failed
McCarthy had previously failed six ballots. On Tuesday and Wednesday, several Republicans refused to support their party colleague McCarthy and voted for other candidates in the election for the presidency.
Especially the ultra-conservatives among the Republicans refuse to follow McCarthy because they think he is too moderate. In order to prevent his election, round after round they bring another candidate into play: Bryan Donalds, who received around 20 votes each time.
With Republicans holding a narrow majority in the House of Commons, McCarthy needs almost every vote in his party to be elected leader. He was opposed by ardent supporters of former President Donald Trump. However, he had previously called for McCarthy to be elected.