How to understand which of the three programmers to appoint as a technical lead?

Question

Project management

What is the key to this choice? Is it possible for them to somehow decide for themselves, and I just give official consent? If not, how best to justify your choice, well, except for the banal "I want so much"?
The skills are about the same. Well, there are differences, but you can't just put everyone on the same scale (because it's debatable exactly how).

Answer 1

Go on sick leave and go offline for a week.
When you return, you will see if one of them took responsibility and coped with it;)

Answer 2

Is it possible for them to somehow decide for themselves, and I just give official consent?

They will choose the one they are most comfortable with/less demanding/etc.
Do you have a democracy or are you trying to shift responsibility to others?

Answer 3

| How to understand which of the three programmers to appoint as a technical lead?
First of all, you need to start with yourself, and not look around,
if you choose for yourself, then you will ask from yourself,
and not from what "someone" recommended to you.
The beginning of all leadership is responsibility and independence,
up to the point that there may be no one but you.