Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar is to stand down and also relinquish his role as the leader of the governing Fine Gael party, citing 'personal and political reasons' behind his decision.
He has faced growing discontent within Fine Gael as of late, with ten of the party's lawmakers, almost a third of the total, having announced they will not run for re-election. 'I know this will come as a surprise to many and a disappointment to some. I hope you will at least understand my decision. I know that others will, how shall I put it, cope with the news just fine. That is the great thing about living in a democracy.
The Taoiseach confirmed he will remain in power as the acting leader until his successor is determined Pundits called the move, just 10 weeks before Ireland holds European parliament and local elections, a 'political earthquake'. The country must also hold a general election within a year.Varadkar said his centre-right Fine Gael party will have a leadership contest.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe and Justice Minister Helen McEntee are also possible candidates. 'And I want to take this opportunity again to wish Leo the very best in his personal life and in his career into the future. 'It's not a time for a rearranging of the deckchairs,' the Sinn Fein vice president told reporters in Belfast.'So I think it's now over to the people, there should be an election, people should have a chance to pass their verdict, particularly after 13 years of Fine Gael in power, 13 years of failure on their part, 13 years of failure to build houses, 13 years of failure to support people through the cost of living crisis.
'Most of all, I want to finish by thanking the people of Ireland for giving me the opportunity to serve them,' he said.Varadkar was applauded by Fine Gael ministerial colleagues as he finished his speech and walked back into Government Buildings. FILE: Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar waves as he is congratulated by party members after being nominated as Taoiseach at Leinster House on December 17, 2022 in Dublin, IrelandA file handout photograph taken on, and released by the Houses of the Oireachtas on December 17, 2022 shows Ireland's new Prime Minister Leo Varadkar addressing TDs in the Dail, the lower house of the Irish parliament, in...
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