Leo Varadkar is resigning as Irish prime minister taoiseach (Irish prime minister) and Fine Gael leader after a turbulent number of weeks for his party
He says his decision to step down is for both personal and political reasons. Leo Varadkar made an announcement outside Government buildings where he said he was stepping down as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader.
Taoiseach says asylum seekers weren’t…
Leo Varadkar is to step down as Taoiseach.
He made the bombshell announcement outside Government buildings at around 12.15pm. Mr Varadkar is to step down as leader of Fine Gael effectively immediately and will leave his post as Taoiseach as soon as a replacement is found.
The Cabinet met on Wednesday for the first time since the landslide referendum defeat and the announcement was flagged with Ministers, many who have been away for St Patrick’s Day duties.
Today’s development comes as the Coalition Government has 12 months left to run.
In recent months the spotlight and focus has been on the futures of senior figures in Fine Gael.