Ireland: Leo Varadkar, Prime Minister of Ireland, has announced that he is giving up his position as PM and leader of the governing party of Fine Gael.
Varadkar confirmed that he is stepping down from power at a press gathering outside the Government Buildings in Dublin, and defined his term as ‘the most fulfilling time of my life.’ The Taoiseach said that his reasons for resignation were ‘both personal and political.’ He considers that a new party leader will be better equipped to contest the next general elections.
The PM stated that, “I believe this government can be re-elected and I believe my party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next poll. Most of all, I believe the re-election of this three-party government would be the right thing for the future of our country. Continuing to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it.”
“But, after careful consideration and some soul searching, I believe that a new Taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that, to renew and strengthen the team, to focus our message and policies, to drive implementation. And, after seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore,” Varadkar added.
Leo Varadkar said that his concession as Fine Gael leader would take effect this week and as Taoiseach he would step down once a successor was chosen. His withdrawal as head of a three-party alliance that encloses Fianna Fáil and the Green Party does not automatically activate a general election.
Varadkar became Ireland’s first openly gay Prime Minister and the country’s youngest leader in 2017. He ushered the party to third place in terms of seats in Dail Eireann, the lower house of the Irish Parliament, in the 2020 general election.
As part of the partnership agreement between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, it was decided that Varadkar and Micheal Martin would serve two years each as Taoiseach. Micheal Martin served as PM in 2020 with Varadkar serving as deputy PM, and they switched positions in 2022.
The declaration follows tumultuous weeks for the coalition government. It was soundly defeated in two referendums on modifications suggested by ministers to the Irish constitution.
The extensive downfalls were a blow to Varadkar and other association administrators who campaigned for a ‘yes yes’ vote in the referendum. Earlier this month, the Irish government announced that local and European Parliament elections would be held in June.
RECOMMENDED | Haitian PM Ariel Henry resigns as law & order crumbles
