The good news is: the live stream is still running. The bad: maybe not for long.
"Will Liz Truss last longer than this salad?" asked the "Daily Star" in thieving anticipation. Since then, the so-called network has been invited to watch a head of lettuce die on YouTube.
Now, the British tabloids are often polemical and largely crude. But according to current murmurs in Britain, the decaying greens may actually outlast the Prime Ministers.
Because even if the live stream is still running, it's not running for Liz Truss. Barely six weeks in office, the head of government is considered as good as dead. All-too-spectacular reversals in financial policy, lousy poll numbers and a consequently badly upset Conservative Party hit Truss hard (read a detailed analysis here).
There is currently speculation about when she will have to vacate her post, as if the only thing left to be decided is the date of her political end. Best regards, the head of lettuce.
True, Truss acknowledged "mistakes" and aggressively announced that she would lead the Tory party into the next general election in 2024. But their demonstrative optimism is hardly shared in their own ranks. The Prime Minister can "no longer afford to make many mistakes," MP James Heappey said on Tuesday. That means: even more mistakes, then she is rid of her post.
If you believe a recent survey by Sky News, that is the majority wish of the Conservatives. Accordingly, 55 percent of Tory members are in favor of Truss resigning immediately. Only 38 percent want to keep them in office. It remains to be seen whether it matters more to Truss that her scandal-ridden predecessor Boris Johnson (with 63 percent) is named as the most suitable replacement.
On the other hand, it is certain that this Wednesday she could use a similar liberation as "BoJo" once did, who during his turbulent tenure has repeatedly managed to talk his way out of all sorts of troubles with strong performances in the lower house.
For the first time since her damned tax policy, Truss has to answer questions from MPs in parliament (from 1 p.m. CEST). The effervescence or lack of applause from the benches in the House of Commons could decide her political fate: a poor performance would hurt Truss - and further hasten her possible downfall.
Under this impression, Question Time is also being followed with a certain amount of concern. To put it diplomatically, Truss is not very gifted in rhetoric.
An eight-minute press conference last Friday was described as disastrous by Tory MPs, Sky News reported, which only made matters worse. The fact that Truss then sent her new Treasury Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, in front of her and listened wordlessly in Parliament as he raked in her recently announced tax cuts piece by piece, brought her additional scorn and ridicule.
And it cannot be assumed that opposition leader Keir Starmer of the Labor Party - which is up to 30 percent ahead of the Conservatives in the polls - will treat the ailing prime minister with kid gloves.
In view of the delicate situation, British quality media are already looking into the crystal ball: How could Truss be booted out? Reports that the coup is allegedly already being planned in her faction recently fueled the mind games again.
One of the scenarios that is outlined: Enough Tory MPs have run out of patience, submit a letter of no confidence to the chairman of the "1922 Committee" and thus bring about the re-election of the party leadership.
In order to trigger the procedure, however, a 15 percent threshold of MPs would have to be reached. According to party rules, a Tory leader also has a one-year grace period, in Truss's case until September 2023. However, a huge mountain of letters of no confidence could justify a change in modalities, rumored by the "Guardian".
Another scenario: Truss bows to the growing displeasure of her party members and "falls on the sword", as the British media put it. In short: she resigns.
Option 3 is the least likely: Truss calls new elections - and thus faces himself and the Tory party to the vote of the electorate. According to current polls, however, this step would end in a crushing defeat for the conservatives.
Striking: A scenario in which Truss could remain in office is practically not discussed in the British media. The belief in a political feat seems to be too small.
Quellen: "The Guardian", Sky News, BBC, "The Times"
