Leo Varadkar on Wednesday announced that he was stepping down as Ireland’s prime minister and leader of the Fine Gael party in the governing coalition, citing “personal and political” reasons.
Pundits called the surprise move, just 10 weeks before Ireland holds European Parliament and local elections, a “political earthquake”. A general election also has to be held within a year.
Deputy Prime Minister Micheal Martin, leader of Fianna Fail, the main coalition partner, said Varadkar’s announcement was “unexpected” but added that he expected the government to run its full term.
An emotional Varadkar, who is in his second stint as prime minister and at 45 remains one of Europe’s youngest leaders, said he felt he was no longer the “best person” to lead the country.
“Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations,” he said in a statement on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin, surrounded by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues.
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