Tony Abbott returns to political life as Downer drops out of race for Liberal Party president
Tony Abbott is set to return to political life as the new federal president of the Liberal Party. He will be the only nominee for the position after Alexander Downer withdrew from the race. The appointment will be confirmed at an upcoming federal council meeting in Melbourne.
- ▪Tony Abbott will be named as the Liberal Party's new federal president.
- ▪Alexander Downer has dropped out of the contest for Liberal Party president and will run for vice president instead.
- ▪Abbott previously served as prime minister from 2013 to 2015 before losing his seat in 2019.
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Tony Abbott returns to political life as Downer drops out of race for Liberal Party presidentBy Rudi Maxwell and wiresTopic:LiberalsFri 22 May 2026 at 10:51pmFri 22 May 2026 at 10:51pmFri 22 May 2026 at 10:51pmTony Abbott will become the Liberal Party's president. (ABC News/7.30)In short:Tony Abbott will be named as the Liberal Party's new federal president.Mr Abbott, 68, will be the only nominee for the position after Alexander Downer, former foreign minister, dropped out of the contest.What's next?The position will be confirmed at a Liberal Party federal council meeting in Melbourne next week.abc.net.au/news/tony-abbott-liberal-party-president/106713432Link copiedShareShare articleFormer prime minister Tony Abbott will return to active political life when he is named as the Liberal…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).