Leo Varadkar’s announcement that he is stepping down as Ireland’s prime minister has ‘delighted’ his husband Matthew Barrett, the politician said today.
Speaking from Brussels at an EU summit today, the taoiseach, who will remain the acting leader of the government until his replacement is chosen, told the media that Barrett did not want to get involved in politics.
‘This life was never for him,’ Varadkar said, adding that Barrett is ‘delighted’ with his decision to step down from the top job in Irish politics.
‘You don’t need to do (this job) forever, the taoiseach told reporters, explaining how he left government offices at 10pm last night and only had time for a brief chat over a takeaway meal with his partner before leaving early this morning for the flight to Belgium.
He said the reality of his resignation has not yet ‘really sunk in’, and that the myriad responsibilities of the role means he is yet to discuss the decision with his family.
A visibly emotional Varadkar, who became Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister in 2017, declared yesterday that a key part of leadership is knowing when to ‘pass on the baton to someone else – and then having the courage to do it.’
The 45-year-old leader said his decision was made for ‘personal and political’ reasons.
His bombshell resignation announcement yesterday triggered the beginning of a hotly contested leadership contest in his Fine Gael party.
Ireland’s Taoiseach Leo Varadkar arrives to attend the European Council meeting in Brussels, Belgium, 21 March 2024
Speaking from Brussels at an EU summit today, the taoiseach, who will remain the acting leader of the government until his replacement is chosen, told the media that Barrett did not want to get involved in politics
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet with the Taoiseach of Ireland Leo Varadkar at Government buildings in Dublin, Ireland
Leo Varadkar and husband Matthew Barrett
In a resignation speech yesterday, Varadkar described his work in politics as ‘the most fulfilling time in my life’, but recognised the time had come to leave because ‘a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me’ to lead the country forward.
‘After seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore,’ he said.
Varadkar also spoke of the ‘honour’ of leading Ireland through a series of challenges, including the Covid pandemic and Brexit.
‘I am resigning as President and Leader of Fine Gael effective today, and will resign as taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office.
‘I know this will come as a surprise to many and a disappointment to some. I hope you will at least understand my decision. I know that others will, how shall I put it, cope with the news just fine. That is the great thing about living in a democracy.
‘There is never a ”right time” to resign high office. However, this is as good a time as any – Budget 2024 is done, and negotiations have not yet commenced on the next one,’ Varadkar said.
The taoiseach confirmed he will remain in power as the acting leader until his successor is determined.
The race to replace Varadkar as Fine Gael party leader, and by default as prime minister, began almost immediately.
Speculation is already bubbling about likely contenders.
The contest proper started on Thursday, with parliamentary party members allowed to submit nominations until Monday.
Party members are due to vote between April 2 and 4 before a winner is declared on April 5.
The Irish parliament – where the governing coalition’s centre-right Fine Gael and Fianna Fail parties, and Green Party form a majority – is expected to vote in the new taoiseach after it returns from recess later in April.
The frontrunner is education minister Simon Harris, who was expected to formally throw his hat in the ring later on Thursday.
By midday on Thursday, the 37-year-old had secured endorsements from more than 20 party members including Fine Gael ministers, MPs and members of the European Parliament.
His campaign said over 100 councillors also support his candidacy to ‘re-energise’ Fine Gael.
Several Fine Gael cabinet ministers and MPs insist a leadership contest would be good for the party.
But with votes from Fine Gael MPs weighing more than the 20,000-strong party membership, the race could be decided quickly if Harris’s dynamic early showing convinces potential challengers not to stand.
Leo Varadkar and husband Matthew Barrett
Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar arrives to attend a European Council summit at the EU headquarters in Brussels on March 21, 2024
A visibly emotional Varadkar, who became Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister in 2017, declared that a key part of leadership is knowing when to ‘pass on the baton to someone else – and then having the courage to do it’
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar speaking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin, he has announced he is to step down as Taoiseach and as leader of his party, Fine Gael. Picture date: Wednesday March 20, 2024
A file handout photo released by Ireland’s Government Information Service (GIS) on December 17, 2022, shows Ireland’s incoming prime minister, and Fine Gael party leader Leo Varadkar (R), receiving the Seals of Office of Taoiseach and Government, from Ireland’s President Michael D. Higgins
Public spending minister Paschal Donohoe, chair of the prestigious Eurogroup of European Union finance ministers, was seen as Harris’s main rival.
But Donohoe, 49 – recently touted as a potential IMF head – ruled himself out while in Brussels on Thursday on the sidelines of a Eurogroup meeting.
‘I think it’s over. There is the capacity for contenders to come forward until Monday but with Donohoe out of the race, it’s hard to see how anyone is going to stand against Harris,’ said Paul Cunningham, a political reporter with public broadcaster RTE.
‘It’s possible but highly unlikely.’
Before Varadkar’s departure, pundits expected a general election would be held later this year rather than in early 2025.
But the leaders of the other parties in the governing coalition – Fianna Fail’s Micheal Martin and the Green Party’s Eamon Ryan – both say they prefer the government to serve a full five-year-term.
Meanwhile opposition parties have queued up to demand an immediate general election.
‘Rather than limping on, and rather than passing the office of taoiseach amongst yourselves again, the correct democratic route at this point is to go to the people,’ said Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the largest opposition party, Sinn Fein.
‘There needs to be a general election,’ McDonald, whose left-wing nationalist party currently leads in polls, told RTE.
