Republican John Boehner was elected Wednesday to the top position in the US House of Representatives, taking over the role of speaker of the lower chamber of Congress from Democrat Nancy Pelosi.
The shift comes after the conservative Republican Party won a sweeping victory in November's congressional elections that put them back in control of the House after four years in the minority. Left- leaning Democrats maintain control of the Senate, though with a slimmed majority.
The 61-year-old Boehner's promotion means he will lead a Republican push against the domestic policies of President Barack Obama, who will be forced to work with the conservative party to pass legislation after enjoying his first two years in office with Democrats in control of both chambers of Congress.
Boehner was elected unanimously by the Republican caucus.
Pelosi became leader of the minority Democrats in the chamber, but 19 of the 193 Democratic lawmakers voted against her in protest. Some moderate members have complained that she has become too divisive to lead the party, dpa reported.
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