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Indian-origin Leo Varadkar announced on Wednesday that he will step down as Prime Minister of Ireland and leader of the ruling Fine Gael party. Talking about his decision, he cited personal and political reasons behind the move. Addressing the media, Varadkar said that leading the country was the most satisfying time of his life.
“I am resigning as president and leader of Fine Gael from today and will resign as Prime Minister as soon as my successor is able to take up that position,” he said. Varadkar has a special connection with India. His father is from Mumbai and mother is from Dungarvan, County Waterford. His father moved to Ireland in the 60s. He was a doctor by profession.
Became PM at the age of 38
Varadkar has served as Prime Minister since December 2022 and previously from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, he became the youngest Prime Minister of Ireland (38 years) by becoming the leader of Fine Gael. He was also the first gay PM.
Leo Varadkar is currently leading the coalition government. Varadkar said that he had spoken before Fine Gael’s annual conference on 6 April about electing a new leader of the party. So that after that the Parliament can vote to make that person the Prime Minister.
Varadkar, 45, said, I am resigning for political and personal reasons. When he told the alliance members about his plans in the regular weekly meeting on Tuesday, they were surprised. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said his party would work with whoever replaces Varadkar.
According to reports, contenders to succeed Varadkar as Fine Gael leader include Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, former Deputy Prime Minister, Public Expenditure Minister Pascal Donohoe.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has surprised everyone by suddenly announcing his resignation. Announcing his resignation on Wednesday, Varadkar cited personal and political reasons behind his decision. He also said that along with the post of PM, he would also have to give up his role as leader of the Fine Gael party. Varadkar became the PM of Ireland in 2017, who was also the world’s first gay Prime Minister.
Varadkar, who became PM with the help of a three-party alliance, also said that there will be no general elections after his resignation, he will be replaced by another leader of the Fine Gael party, on which a decision will be taken in early April. It is believed that Varadkar’s resignation has come after the government’s crushing defeat in two referendums on proposed changes to the Irish Constitution.
Satisfactory time spent in politics
At the time of the announcement of his resignation, Varadkar said that my time spent in politics has been satisfactory and I feel that the leadership that replaces me will be in a better position to take the country forward. He said that after holding the post for seven years, I no longer feel that I am completely suitable for that post.
Shocking decision
Varadkar’s resignation, just 10 weeks before the European Parliament and local elections, is being described as a shocking move. Before the general elections are to be held within a year, some political experts are considering this resignation as a political earthquake. Deputy Prime Minister Michael Martin, leader of Fine Gael’s ally party, said Varadkar’s announcement was unexpected. Varadkar said politicians are also human and have their limitations. Varadkar stressed that he believed the government could be re-elected.
Fine Gael had lost five by-elections
The Fine Gael party has recently lost five by-elections, leading some insiders to question Varadkar. Some MPs had even refused to contest the next elections. “He had no clear agenda and did very little,” Eoin O’Malley, a political scientist at Dublin City University, told AFP. “We will continue to work closely with him as the search for a successor continues.”
