{"id":29082,"date":"2024-03-20T11:37:35","date_gmt":"2024-03-20T15:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=29082"},"modified":"2024-03-20T11:37:37","modified_gmt":"2024-03-20T15:37:37","slug":"varadkar-to-step-down-as-taoiseach-and-fine-gael-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=29082","title":{"rendered":"Varadkar To Step Down As Taoiseach And Fine Gael Leader"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Leo Varadkar flanked by supporters speaking to the media at Government Buildings in Dublin (Nick Bradshaw\/PA)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Leo Varadkar has announced he will step down as Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In an emotional address outside Government Buildings in Dublin, Mr Varadkar told reporters: \u201cI am resigning as president and leader of Fine Gael effective today and will resign as the Taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office.\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He is expected to remain in place until his party has elected a successor, which it is hoped will be completed by the party\u2019s ardfheis in early April. The D\u00e1il will then elect the new Fine Gael leader as Taoiseach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A visibly emotional Mr Varadkar said his decision was both \u201cpersonal and political\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe this Government can be re-elected and I believe my party, Fine Gael, can gain seats in the next poll,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMost of all I believe the re-election of this three-party government would be the right thing for the future of our country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cContinuing to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut, after careful consideration and some soul-searching, I believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that, to renew and strengthen the team, to focus our message and policies, to drive implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAnd, after seven years in office, I don\u2019t feel I\u2019m the best person for that job anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Varadkar said it was the right time for him to step down and that there was no “real reason” behind his decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI have nothing else lined up, I have nothing in mind. I have no definite personal or political plans,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

T\u00e1naiste Miche\u00e1l Martin, leader of Fianna F\u00e1il, said Varadkar’s announcement was “unexpected” but added that he expected the government to run its full term.<\/p>\n

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