Speaking to reporters today, a visibly emotional Varadkar declared that a key part of leadership is knowing when to 'pass on the baton to someone else - and then having the courage to do it'.
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 reelection. 'There is never a ''right time'' to resign high office. However, this is as good a time as any - Budget 2024 is done, and negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one,' Varadkar said.
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...
Varadkar's resignation comes ahead of local government and European parliament elections in Ireland in June.Over the last year, ten Fine Gael TDs have announced their intention to step away from politics at the general election, fuelling speculation of internal discontent within the party. 'I am proud that we have made the country a more equal and more modern place when it comes to the rights of children, the LGBT community, equality for women and their bodily autonomy. More recently, we have led the country through an inflation and cost of living crisis, the worst of which is now thankfully behind us.
'This is making a real difference now, and will continue to do so into the future, fostering and assisting the artists and sportsmen and women of the future. 'In my time as Taoiseach, we reduced consistent poverty and income inequality. Housing construction has more than doubled, with five hundred people becoming homeowners every week for the first time - the highest number in almost two decades.
'I have asked our Party General Secretary and Executive Council to provide for the new Leader to be elected in advance of the Ard Fheis on Saturday, April 6th, thus allowing a new Taoiseach to be elected when the Dáil resumes after the Easter break. 'The new Taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the Local and European Elections, and up to a year before the next General Election.'I believe this Government can be re-elected. I believe my Party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next Dáil. Most of all, I believe that would be the right thing for the future of our country, continuing to take us forward. Protecting what we achieved and building on it.
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