CNN
Ireland’s Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has announced his resignation, citing “personal and political, but mainly political reasons” in a surprise move.
Flanked by colleagues outside government buildings in Dublin on Wednesday, Varadkar said he felt he was no longer the “best man” for the job. He said he would stay as prime minister until a successor can be elected after parliament returns from recess next month.
Varadkar first became prime minister in 2017, after being elected leader of the Fine Gael party. He is the country’s youngest premier and Ireland’s first gay leader.
“I am resigning as president [of the party] and leader of Fine Gael effective today, and will resign as taoiseach [Irish prime minister] as soon as my successor is able to take up that office,” Varadkar said.
Acknowledging that his resignation would be a “surprise to many and a disappointment to some,” Varadkar said his decision was taken with the best interests of the country in mind.
Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin, leader of coalition partner Fianna Fáil, said Varadkar was “entitled to take a decision of this kind,” but called it an an “unprecedented” development.
