Dublin, Ireland – Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland, made a surprising announcement on Wednesday, revealing his decision to step down as the leader of the Fine Gael party. Varadkar expressed his intention to also resign from his role as prime minister once a successor is chosen to take his place.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin, Varadkar disclosed his plan for the selection of a new party leader on April 6, paving the way for a new prime minister to be elected following the parliamentary Easter break. At 45 years old, Varadkar emphasized that now was the appropriate moment for him to step aside, citing personal and political reasons for his decision without delving into specifics.
In 2017, Varadkar made history by becoming the first openly gay prime minister in predominantly Catholic Ireland and the youngest individual to assume the position. His return to office in 2022 was facilitated through a rotation agreement between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, the two major parties within a three-party coalition including the Green Party. The upcoming election must be scheduled by early 2025.
Varadkar declared that he currently has no future plans in mind, whether personal or political, as he looks forward to a smooth transition of power to his successor. As developments unfold, Ireland awaits the outcomes of the forthcoming changes in leadership within the Fine Gael party and the national government.