Republic of Ireland set to make history with Simon Harris

Fine Gael, Ireland’s ruling party, has appointed Simon Harris as its new leader, positioning him to potentially become the youngest Taoiseach in the nation’s history at the age of 37, succeeding former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

Varadkar’s unexpected resignation was announced on Wednesday, citing a mix of personal and political reasons, with a focus on the latter. Varadkar had made headlines in 2017 when, at the age of 38, he became Ireland’s youngest prime minister at that time.

Accepting his new role at a Fine Gael party conference in Athlone, West Meath, Harris expressed profound gratitude and commitment to the party members and communities across Ireland.

“It’s the absolute honour of my life to formally be here with you today in Athlone to accept the leadership of this great party, of our great party,” said Harris in his acceptance speech.

“I want to thank every single person in this room and every single community you come from across Ireland. I want to thank you for your trust. And I want to promise and pledge to you today that I will repay that trust with hard work with blood, sweat and tears, day in and day out with responsibility, with humility, and with civility,” he added.

Simon Harris also took a moment to acknowledge Varadkar’s leadership, praising his contributions during pivotal moments such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his efforts towards social change.

“Each and every time he [Varadkar] delivered, whether it was the existential threats of Brexit and COVID or his contribution to key moments of social change in this country. I know and believe his legacy is significant since 2010,” Harris remarked.

Prior to his new appointment, Simon Harris had served as Ireland’s minister for further and higher education and previously held the position of health minister from May 2016 to June 2020, according to Fine Gael’s website.