DUBLIN: On Wednesday, Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as the prime minister of Ireland and the head of the Fine Gael party in the ruling coalition, citing “personal and political” factors.
Pundits dubbed the abrupt action a “political earthquake” as it came just ten weeks before Ireland’s municipal and European Parliament elections. Within a year, a general election must also be held.
Although Varadkar’s remark was “unexpected,” Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, the leader of Fianna Fail, the primary coalition partner, stressed that he anticipated the government to serve out its entire term.
Feeling that he was no longer the “best person” to lead the country, an emotional Varadkar—who is serving his second term as prime minister and is still among Europe’s youngest leaders at 45—spoke about his feelings.
“Humans are politicians.” Surrounded by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues, he made a statement on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin, stating, “We have our limitations.”
“We give it everything we have, and then we have to move on until we can no longer.” In spite of his recent dismal performance at the polls, Varadkar maintained his belief that the government could be re-elected. To accomplish that, he continued, “I think a new taoiseach (prime minister) will be better placed than me—to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation.” “I am no longer the best person for that job after seven years in office,” he declared.
Without providing further details, he stated, “My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political.”
Varadkar was largely held accountable for two major setbacks earlier this month, including the largest referendum defeat ever suffered by a government over plans to amend the Irish constitution’s references to women, the family, and caregiving.
“Loser in the election”
When parliament reconvenes after its break next month, Varadkar declared that his center-right Fine Gael party would hold a leadership election and that he would serve as premier until the new leader is chosen.
Varadkar took over as prime minister for the first time in June 2017. In addition to being the first openly gay prime minister of Ireland, he was also the youngest person to have held the position.
Following his party’s disappointing showing in the 2020 general election, he resigned as part of an agreement with opposition parties, but he returned to the office in 2022 as part of the same arrangement.
Pugnacious and occasionally contentious, Varadkar served as Ireland’s speaker of parliament and oversaw the country’s response to the Covid epidemic and the Brexit negotiations, helping to avert a hard border with Northern Ireland, which is administered by the United Kingdom.
