Following the shock resignation of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Tuesday, a vacancy has now been left in the state’s top political job.
Mr Andrews’ resignation will be effective from 5pm today, with his successor expected to be chosen at a midday caucus meeting.
Whoever is chosen will serve as interim leader until being officially sworn in after a few days, as per party rules.
In the few remaining hours before the decision, factions within the party are now crunching the numbers and gauging their support.
Here are the two most likely candidates to be the next Victorian premier.
Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan is considered an overwhelming favourite to be chosen as Victoria’s new premier.
The minister for transport infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop announced she would be putting herself forward to lead the Victorian Labor Party in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday afternoon.
Ms Allan is a part of Mr Andrews’ Socialist Left faction of the Labor Party, and according to senior government sources is expected to be nominated at a factional meeting at 9am tomorrow morning.
She remains the front-runner ahead of factional allies Lily D’Ambrosio, Mary Anne-Thomas and Gabrielle Williams.
Ms Allan has enjoyed a history-making rise through party ranks, becoming the second youngest woman to ever serve as deputy when unanimously endorsed by the party last year.
She was also the youngest female Victorian MP when she was elected in 1999 at the age of 25, and the youngest minister in the history of the state in 2002.
However, the member for Bendigo East has come under fire recently for her role as the minister for the now cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games, which led the opposition to call for her resignation.
Her role as minister for transport and infrastructure has also led to some criticism following delays to the Airport Rail link project and cost blowouts to the West Gate Tunnel.
