Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to Step Down, Triggering Potential Early Elections

DUBLIN – Prime Minister Leo Varadkar of Ireland has announced his decision to step down from his position as leader of the ruling Fine Gael party and as Taoiseach, marking a significant shift in the country’s political landscape.

Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Varadkar shared his intention to resign as Fine Gael leader immediately and continue as Taoiseach until the Fine Gael party’s annual conference in mid-April, paving the way for his successor.

Varadkar’s unexpected departure has raised questions about the future of Ireland’s three-party coalition government, which has been in power with relatively few issues since 2020.

The move has sparked speculation about the timing of a potential general election, with Sinn Féin, the main opposition party, consistently leading in recent polls.

Varadkar’s announcement has left many surprised, as he had been seen as a key figure in maintaining stability within the coalition government, which includes Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Eamon Ryan of the Green Party.

This development comes amid a series of retirements within the Fine Gael party, with Varadkar’s decision to step down adding to the changing political landscape in Ireland.

The decision follows a recent referendum that faced criticism, where voters overwhelmingly rejected proposed changes to the Irish constitution related to gender and family references.

Varadkar expressed his desire for the current government to not only retain power but also increase its seats in the next election, emphasizing the need for a fresh leader to drive the party’s agenda forward.