Why Did Ireland Prime Minister Leo Varadkar Unexpectedly Resign?

Leo Varadkar, the Prime Minister of Ireland, unexpectedly resigned on March 20, stepping down as the leader of the Fine Gael coalition party. Addressing the press about the surprising move, he said, "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." The Irish leader told reporters gathered outside government buildings in Dublin that the new leader for the party would be chosen by April 6, allowing a new prime minister to be elected after parliament's Easter break.

When asked about the reason for the sudden departure, the Indian-origin leader said that there "was no real reason." Varadkar said, "I have nothing else lined up I have nothing in mind. I have no definite personal or political plans." The next election must be called by early 2025, according to the Press Trust of India. 

Varadkar Resigns As Ireland PM

Leo Varadkar addressed a press conference on March 20 to announce that he was stepping down as the Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland. While he did not specify the exact reason behind his sudden departure from the Fine Gael party, he said that he was resigning for personal and political grounds, adding that there was "no real reason".

Varadkar stepped down as the head of the three-party coalition and said that he would exit the office soon after a replacement was found. The Irish leader added that the new head of the party would be chosen by April 6 and a new prime minister could be elected after parliament's Easter break.

Reportedly, 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.

Leo Varadkar As PM

Leo Varadkar became the Prime Minister of Ireland and the leader of the Fine Gael party in 2017, becoming the youngest and first openly gay leader of the once-staunchly Catholic country. He was re-elected in December 2022 under a rotation arrangement struck between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, the two largest parties in a three-party coalition with the smaller Green Party. The next general election in Ireland must be called by 2025.