Indian-origin leader Leo Varadkar resigns as Ireland's prime minister in surprise move

Indian-origin Leo Varadkar on Wednesday (Mar 20) announced that he will step down as the prime minister of Ireland and the leader of the governing Fine Gael party. He cited "personal and political" reasons behind this surprise move as he spoke about his decision.

While addressing the media, Varadkar said that leading the nation was the most "fulfilling time" of his life.

"I am resigning as president and leader of Fine Gael effective today and will resign as the Taoiseach (prime minister) as soon as my successor is able to take up that office," Varadkar told reporters gathered outside government buildings in Dublin.

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Varadkar has served as the prime minister since December 2022, and previously from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, he became Ireland's youngest PM when he became Fine Gael leader. he was also the first gay PM.

He is currently leading the coalition government, along with Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. However, his resignation as head of the three-party coalition won't trigger a general election.

Varadkar said that he had asked for a new leader of the party to be elected ahead of Fine Gael's annual conference on April 6. After that, the parliament would vote on that person becoming prime minister.

The 45-year-old said, "My reasons for stepping down are both personal and political."

"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 (the coalition government's re-election)," he said.

He told about his plans to the coalition members at a regular weekly meeting on Tuesday and they were left stunned. Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said his party would work with whoever replaces Varadkar.

"I've enjoyed being Taoiseach, leader and cabinet member since March 2011. I've learned so much about so many things that so many people who I'd never got to meet into places I would never seen at home and abroad. And I am deeply grateful for it," he said in his closing statement.

As per reports, contenders to succeed Varadkar as Fine Gael leader include Higher Education Minister Simon Harris, who was health minister during the COVID-19 pandemic, Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney, a former deputy prime minister, Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

(With inputs from agencies)