Ireland's Indian-origin Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced his shock resignation on Wednesday, citing "personal and political" reasons, sending ripples across the country.
In an emotional statement delivered from the government buildings in Dublin, the 45-year-old Taoiseach disclosed his decision to step down as president and leader, effective immediately, and stated his intention to resign as Taoiseach once his successor assumes office.
Varadkar, who led the Fine Gael party since 2017 and served as the country's youngest and first openly gay Prime Minister, attributed his resignation to his belief that a new leader would be better positioned to secure seats for the party in the upcoming general election.
The announcement followed a recent defeat on a family issues double referendum, contributing to Varadkar's assessment that he was no longer the most suitable person for the job after seven years in office.
In his resignation speech, Varadkar expressed pride in Ireland's progress toward greater equality and modernity, particularly regarding the rights of children, the LGBT community, and women's equality.
He emphasized that his decision was not based on definite plans for the future, but rather on his intention to provide an opportunity for others within the party.
Following Varadkar's announcement, attention has shifted to the selection of his successor, with potential contenders including Paschal Donohoe, Simon Harris, Simon Coveney, and Heather Humphreys.
Despite his resignation, Varadkar will continue to serve as a member of parliament for his Dublin West constituency until a new Taoiseach assumes office.
The resignation does not automatically trigger a general election, as the next one is scheduled for March 2025, but it sets the stage for a leadership contest within Fine Gael.
