Who Is Leo Varadkar? Indian-Origin Ireland PM May Return for Second Term

The 43-year-old Leo Varadkar is all set to become Ireland's prime minister for the second time. He makes history in every sense as Varadkar is a mixed race, openly gay, and one of Ireland's youngest-ever leaders in his second stint.

The result came ahead of the handover of power between the two main political partners in the three-party governing coalition. The rotation of power between Varadkar's Fine Gael and current premier Micheal Martin's Fianna Fail parties is exceptional in Irish history.

Who Is Leo Varadkar?

Leo Varadkar was born to an Irish mother, a nurse by profession, and an Indian immigrant father, a qualified doctor in Dublin. Reportedly at the age of seven, Varadkar expressed to his mother's friends his dream to become a minister for health.

Varadkar took a medical degree from Trinity College Dublin. He started his general practice as well as stayed active in politics.

He, in 2007 secured the election for Fine Gael in Dublin West. Leo Varadkar became a fresh face when he took the helm of governing Fine Gael in 2017.

Varadkar at 38, became the country's youngest Taoiseach(PM) as well as its first openly gay head of government and first of Indian heritage.

Varadkar also came out publicly as a gay way before Ireland's referendum legalising same-sex marriage. He said in a report, "I am a gay man, it's not a secret, but not something that everyone would necessarily know."

Leo Varadkar's elevation in Irish politics is remarkable considering the social fabric of the country. Ireland is dominated by a stern, conservative Catholic morality.

During Covid times, he re-registered as a doctor, returning to work once a week as well as leading the country. He was also judged as an effective communicator during the first lockdown imposed in Europe.

However, the controversy revolved during the deputy premier's tenure, his critics claim he has lost his shine. He has been in the middle of controversy like the leaking of a government pay deal for GPs to a friend. This year his private life has also been in the spotlight. He was filmed socialising at a Dublin nightclub, which sparked debate over privacy.

Matthew Barrett partner of Varadkar is a cardiologist.

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