Simon Harris Elected as New Leader of Ireland’s Fine Gael Party, Set to Become Youngest Taoiseach in Irish History
Ireland’s ruling political party, Fine Gael, has announced Simon Harris as its new leader during the party conference held in the Irish county of West Meath on Sunday. This development marks a significant milestone for Harris, as he is set to become the youngest Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) in Irish history at the age of 37.
Former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, who made headlines in 2017 for being the youngest prime minister in Irish history at that time when he was aged 38, unexpectedly announced his resignation on Wednesday. Varadkar cited “personal and political, but mainly political reasons” for stepping down from his position.
During his acceptance speech at the Fine Gael party conference, Harris expressed his deepest gratitude to every member in the room and across Ireland for trusting him with their support. He pledged to repay that trust with dedication, hard work, responsibility, humility, and civility.
In his speech, Harris paid tribute to Varadkar for his remarkable leadership over the years. He acknowledged that Varadkar had delivered during crucial moments of Irish history, from handling existential threats such as Brexit and COVID-19 to contributing significantly to social change in the country since 2010.
Prior to his new role, Harris served as Ireland’s minister for further and higher education. His political career also includes a tenure as the country’s health minister from May 2016 to June 2020, as noted on Fine Gael’s official Website.
Harris’ election as the new leader of Ireland’s Fine Gael Party represents an exciting and pivotal moment in Irish politics, with the young politician poised to make a significant impact on the country’s future.