Leo Varadkar steps down as Irish prime minister in shock move
Source: The Guardian
Leo Varadkar has announced he is standing down as Ireland’s prime minister and also giving up his role as leader of the Fine Gael party in the ruling coalition, in a surprise move described by pundits as a “political earthquake” for the country.
Citing “personal and political” reasons, Varadkar, 45, announced his decision at a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday, saying in an at-times emotional speech that he no longer felt he was the “best person” to lead Ireland.
Earlier this month his government suffered damaging defeats in two referendums on references to family and women in the constitution.
Varadkar, who said he was resigning as party leader with immediate effect, is expected to be replaced as taoiseach as soon as his successor as party leader is able to take office.
Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/mar/20/leo-varadkar-step-downs-as-irish-prime-minister-in-shock-move
Mr Coveney said he made a "decision quite some time ago that he wouldn't stand in another leadership contest."
Speaking on RTÉ's Six One, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment said: "I had my chance and wasn't successful the last time, I think there's a lot of talent in the party.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0320/1438924-ireland-politics/
Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe is also a possibly successor to Mr Varadkar.
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From the day he made his maiden speech as the youngest TD in the Dáil nominating Enda Kenny as Taoiseach in 2011, any observer of Irish politics will have noticed Simon Harris has been an ambitious young man.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education has for some time been viewed as a future Fine Gael leader. Is this too early for the 37-year-old to throw his hat in the ring? Or is now the time for the Wicklow TD to make the case for this party to elect another young leader?
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Among them were Minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys. As Cabinet ministers, their names will also feature in speculation around the leadership.
https://www.rte.ie/news/ireland/2024/0320/1438980-fine-gael-leadership/
