After the unexpected resignation of Leo Varadkar, the Indian-origin prime minister of Ireland, Simon Harris is poised to become Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister following his appointment as the new leader of the governing Fine Gael party, as reported by the Media.
Simon Harris, aged 37, expressed profound gratitude upon being named party leader on Sunday, succeeding Leo Varadkar who had stepped down, citing the belief that another leader would better govern the party.
Harris is set to be formally voted in as the Republic of Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister, known as the taoiseach, during the next session of the country’s parliament or Oireachtas scheduled for April 9. This appointment is expected to be facilitated by support from Fine Gael’s coalition partners, according to the source.
Simon Coveney, Fine Gael’s deputy leader, commended Harris for securing the leadership in a comprehensive manner, stating, “I think he’s done a really good job.”
Addressing Fine Gael members, Harris pledged to reciprocate their trust with unwavering dedication and hard work, emphasizing the values of responsibility, humility, and civility in his leadership approach.
Harris outlined his priorities, affirming Fine Gael’s stance on law and order and expressing a desire to reclaim their identity from nationalists. He also emphasized a commitment to developing a more structured and sustainable immigration policy, addressing recent tensions on the issue, and vowed to confront the dangers posed by populism.
On the international front, Harris called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and condemned Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
Additionally, Harris faces the challenge of leading the coalition effectively within a year to prevent defeat in parliamentary elections, according to the Media . Recent polls indicate a decline in support for Sinn Fein, a left-wing party advocating for unification with Northern Ireland, which had previously shown strong popularity.
Simon Harris, previously serving as minister for education, research, and science, gained recognition for his leadership during Ireland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. He shared that his entry into politics stemmed from personal experiences, particularly his concerns about the lack of support for his autistic brother during his teenage years.
Despite his extensive tenure in parliament, Harris described himself as an “accidental politician,” as reported by Media .
Leo Varadkar, who previously held the position as Ireland’s youngest-ever leader when first elected at age 38, made the unexpected announcement of his resignation, citing personal and political reasons. Varadkar, of Indian heritage, served two terms as taoiseach, initially from 2017 to 2020 and later from December 2022 in a job-share arrangement with Micheal Martin, the leader of coalition partner Fianna Fail. Varadkar’s biracial background also marked a significant milestone in Irish politics as the first biracial taoiseach.
