Irish PM Leo Varadkar stuns nation with surprise resignation

He cites "both personal and political" reasons during sudden press conference in Dublin

8:56 AM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – Ireland’s prime minister, Leo Varadkar, has announced his shock resignation, citing “both personal and political” reasons.

The world media reported his announcement at a sudden press conference in Dublin.

He said that after “careful consideration”, Ireland would do better with a new Taoiseach or prime minister to lead the government coalition in the next general election due by March next year.

With Varadkar’s resignation, his party, Fine Gael, will be holding nominations for a new leader by April 5, after which Parliament will vote to approve the new leader as prime minister.

Varadkar, 45, became Ireland’s first gay prime minister in 2017 and is credited with steering the country through Brexit talks and economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.

He reportedly informed leaders of other parties in his coalition of his decision to resign on Tuesday before making his announcement yesterday.

Last weekend, Varadkar met United States President Joe Biden in Washington for St Patrick’s Day celebrations, and during the meeting, he expressed Ireland’s solidarity with Gaza, saying that the Irish “see our history in their eyes”, referring to Ireland’s oppressive experience in the past under British law. – March 21, 2024

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