In an unexpected move, Ireland's prime minister Leo Varadkar announced his resignation, giving his reasons as "personal and political, but mainly political."
Arguing that he no longer felt like the "best man" for the post, Varadkar declared this on Wednesday in front of government buildings in Dublin, surrounded by colleagues. He declared that he would continue in his role as prime minister until a replacement could be chosen when parliament reconvenes the following month.
Following his election as Fine Gael leader, Varadkar took office as prime minister for the first time in 2017. He is the first openly gay premier of Ireland and the youngest in the nation.
"As of right now, I am stepping down as the party's president and leader of Fine Gael. I will also step down as the Irish prime minister, or taoiseach, as soon as my successor is qualified to take over Varadkar remarked, "Up that office."
Varadkar acknowledged that his decision to quit would come as a "surprise to many and a disappointment to some," but he insisted that it was made with the sake of the nation in mind.
Varadkar was "entitled to take a decision of this kind," according to Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin, the leader of coalition partner Fianna Fáil, although he described the development as "unprecedented."
To replace Varadkar, there will now be a leadership competition within his party ahead of the party summit on April 6. In his farewell speech, Varadkar did not mention any plans to call another general election before May 2025, even though the government is required to do so.
2020 saw the end of Varadkar's first premiership after no party was able to secure a majority in the general election.
After Fine Gael formed a government with Fianna Fáil, Martin and he switched positions as prime minister and deputy. Varadkar took up his role as in December.
To replace Varadkar, there will now be a leadership competition within his party ahead of the party summit on April 6. In his farewell speech, Varadkar did not mention any plans to call another general election before May 2025, even though the government is required to do so.
2020 saw the end of Varadkar's first premiership after no party was able to secure a majority in the general election.
After Fine Gael formed a government with Fianna Fáil, Martin and he switched positions as prime minister and deputy. Varadkar took up his role as in December.