Leo Varadkar
Leo Eric Varadkar (/vəˈrædkər/ və-RAD-kər; born 18 January 1979) is an Irish politician and physician. He was the Taoiseach from 2022 to 2024, previously serving in the role from 2017 to 2020. He was the Minister for Defence from 2017 to 2020. From 2020 to 2022, he was the Tánaiste.
Leo Varadkar | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.jpg) Varadkar in 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14th Taoiseach | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 17 December 2022 – 9 April 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Michael D. Higgins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tánaiste | Micheál Martin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Micheál Martin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Simon Harris | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 14 June 2017 – 27 June 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President | Michael D. Higgins | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tánaiste | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Enda Kenny | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Micheál Martin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tánaiste | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 27 June 2020 – 17 December 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Taoiseach | Micheál Martin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Simon Coveney | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Micheál Martin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Leader of Fine Gael | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In office 2 June 2017 – 24 March 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Deputy | Simon Coveney | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Enda Kenny | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Succeeded by | Simon Harris | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Teachta Dála | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office May 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Constituency | Dublin West | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 18 January 1979 Dublin, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Political party | Fine Gael | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic partner | Matthew Barrett | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Education | The King's Hospital | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | www | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
He was the Leader of Fine Gael, elected in June 2017 to replace Enda Kenny. He has served as Minister for Social Protection since May 2016. He has been a Teachta Dála (TD) since 2007 for the Dublin West constituency.
In March 2024, Varadkar announced his resignation as Taoiseach and Simon Harris was soon elected as his replacement.
Early career
changeIn 2004 he was co-opted onto Fingal County Council and served as deputy mayor before his election to Dáil Éireann. He was promoted to the Front Bench by Enda Kenny as Spokesperson on Enterprise, Trade and Employment, remaining in this position until a 2010 reshuffle when he became Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
After the formation of the Coalition Government in March 2011, he was appointed Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. A cabinet reshuffle in July 2014 saw Varadkar appointed to the position of Minister for Health. During his tenure he became the first openly gay Irish government minister.
Following the formation of a Fine Gael minority government in May 2016, he was appointed Minister for Social Protection.
Taoiseach
change2017 Fine Gael leadership election
changeAfter the resignation of Enda Kenny as Leader of Fine Gael in May 2017, Varadkar announced his candidacy for party leader.[1] He faced Minister for Housing Simon Coveney in the Fine Gael leadership election. He won the election on 2 June 2017.
On 14 June, he was nominated as Taoiseach by Dáil Éireann and this nomination was approved by the President of Ireland.[2][3] Varadkar became Ireland's first openly gay Taoiseach, as well as the youngest and the first of half-Indian descent.[4][5]
Defeat
changeOn 26 June 2020, it was announced that Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party had agreed to form a coalition government, marking the first time the two main Irish parties had formed a government together. As part of the agreement, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin held the office of Taoiseach until December 2022, while Varadkar took the position of Tánaiste. The pair then swapped roles after roughly two and a half years, with Varadkar retaking the position of Taoiseach for the remainder of the coalition's term. Martin was elected Taoiseach by the Dáil on 27 June.[6]
Second term as Taoiseach
change.jpg)
On 17 December 2022, Varadkar was appointed as Taoiseach for a second time, following Micheál Martin's resignation to President Michael D. Higgins.[7]
On 13 April 2023, Varadkar met with U.S. President Joe Biden at Farmleigh House during his four-day visit to the island of Ireland.[8]
On 6 May 2023, Varadkar, along with President Michael D. Higgins, attended the Coronation of Charles III and Queen Camilla, marking the first time a serving taoiseach attended the coronation of a British monarch.[9]
On 20 March 2024, Varadkar announced his intention to step down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, saying that he was no longer "the best person for the job".[10] He said his "reasons for stepping down are both personal and political".[11][12] He said that his resignation as Fine Gael leader would be with immediate effect, and that he would continue in office as Taoiseach pending the election of a new party leader on 6 April.[13]
Personal life
changeVaradkar is openly gay[14][15] He is first openly gay cabinet member in Ireland.[16]
His partner is Matthew Barrett.[17]
References
change- ↑ "Tánaiste declares for Varadkar in Fine Gael leadership race". RTÉ.ie. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
- ↑ "More 'disappointments than appointments' over cabinet selection - Varadkar". RTE. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
Mr Varadkar, who is on course to be elected taoiseach in the Dáil next Wednesday, ... He described his meetings with Fianna Fáil and Independents yesterday as "fruitful".
- ↑ Kelly, Fiach (6 June 2017). "Varadkar may have smaller majority as taoiseach than Kenny". The Irish Times. Retrieved 8 June 2017.
Mr Varadkar is expected to be elected taoiseach when the House resumes on Tuesday, June 13th. He is set to meet Independent members of the Government on Tuesday night and Wednesday, and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin on Wednesday. He will need the backing of the Independents and the abstention of Fianna Fáil to be elected taoiseach.
- ↑ Healy, Claire (2017). "Leo Varadkar set to become Ireland's youngest ever and first gay Taoiseach - after beating Simon Coveney to be crowned Fine Gael leader". Thesun.ie. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
- ↑ McDonald, Henry (3 June 2017). "Leo Varadkar, gay son of Indian immigrant, to be next Irish PM". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
- ↑ "Irish government: Parties agree to form coalition government". BBC News. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
- ↑ Ryan, Philip; Moloney, Eoghan (17 December 2022). "Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar elected as Taoiseach for a second time after Micheál Martin steps down". Irish Independent. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- ↑ Moloney, Eoghan; Ryan, Philip; O'Connell, Hugh; Gataveckaite, Gabija (13 April 2023). "Joe Biden praises 'enduring partnership' between Ireland and US in historic Dáil speech". Irish Independent. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ↑ "President Higgins to make history by attending King Charles III's coronation". IrishCentral.com. 2023-05-06. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
- ↑
- "Statement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings". Department of the Taoiseach (gov.ie). 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024.
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.
- Varadkar, Leo (20 March 2024). Irish government press conference (Speech). Government Buildings.
- "Leo Varadkar to step down as Irish prime minister and party leader". BBC News. 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- "Statement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at Government Buildings". Department of the Taoiseach (gov.ie). 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024.
- ↑ "'My reasons are personal and political': Leo Varadkar stands down as Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ↑ "Leo Varadkar visibly emotional as he resigns as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader: 'I don't feel I'm the best person for the job anymore'". Irish Independent. 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ↑ "Ireland's PM Leo Varadkar announces resignation". Al Jazeera. 20 March 2024. Archived from the original on 20 March 2024. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
- ↑ "Leo Varadkar: 'I wanted to be an equal citizen . . . and today I am'". The Irish Times.
- ↑ Nial O'Connor (23 May 2015). "10 factors behind the 'Yes' side's victory". Independent.ie.
- ↑ "Irish Cabinet member tells nation he's gay, becomes Ireland's 1st openly gay government minister". Fox News.
- ↑ "Meet the dashing doctor boyfriend supporting Leo Varadkar in his Fine Gael leadership bid".
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