Leo Varadkar, of Indian origin, takes on the role of Ireland’s Taoiseach this weekend for the second time. Varadkar will become Ireland’s prime minister after the handover of power between the two main political partners of the tripartite ruling coalition. Even in his second term in office, Varadkar remains one of Ireland’s youngest leaders.
Varadkar, who is mixed-race and openly gay, has served as deputy prime minister and is scheduled for a cabinet reshuffle on Saturday (Dec. 17). The role of Taoiseach and Tánaiste will rotate between current Prime Minister Micheal Martin’s Fianna Fail and 43-year-old Varadkar’s Fine Gael.
After the 2020 election, leaders of centre-right parties accepted the rotating premiership as part of a coalition with the Irish Greens as supporters.
Varadkar was seen as a fresh face when he took the helm of the Fine Gael government in 2017. But after two and a half years as prime minister, some critics claimed he had lost his luster. There was a ruling at the polls in 2020 and controversies tarnished his reputation as deputy prime minister.
Before taking office, Varadkar told Fine Gael politicians that he would want guarantees from those he appoints as ministers that they will stand in the next general election.
Local reports have indicated that there may not be a major shake-up around the Cabinet table. Furthermore, the role of junior ministers is where the biggest changes will be seen.
In addition to the switch of seats between Martin and Varadkar, reports have indicated that roles in the Finance Departments and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform will also be swapped between Paschal Donohoe and Michael McGrath.
(With contributions from agencies)
You may now writes for wionews.com and be part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
