Leo Varadkar steps down as Irish prime minister in shock move
Varadkar announces decision to resign as taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael party for ‘personal and political’ reasons
Leo Varadkar has announced he is standing down as Ireland’s prime minister and also giving up his role as leader of the Fine Gael party in the ruling coalition, in a surprise move described by pundits as a “political earthquake” for the country.
Citing “personal and political” reasons, Varadkar, 45, announced his decision at a press conference in Dublin on Wednesday, saying in an at-times emotional speech that he no longer felt he was the “best person” to lead Ireland.