Leo Varadkar's abrupt resignation as PM catches Ireland off guard

Leo Varadkar has announced that he was stepping down as Ireland's prime minister and leader of the Fine Gael party in the governing coalition, citing "personal and political" reasons.

Pundits called Wednesday's surprise decision, just weeks before Ireland holds European Parliament and local elections, a "political earthquake". A general election also has to be held within a year.

It came days after Varadkar, on his official US trip last week, seized the opportunity in Washington DC to advocate for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire" in Gaza to President Joe Biden.

In a viral video, the Irish Prime Minister told an elite gathering that included the US president that "Israel must reverse its precipitous decision to authorise a land incursion into Rafah," where over 1.5 million Palestinians have sought refuge from the Israeli military onslaught.

An emotional Varadkar, who is in his second stint as prime minister and at 45 remains one of Europe's youngest leaders, said he felt he was no longer the "best person" to lead the country.

"Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations," he said in a statement on the steps of Government Buildings in Dublin, surrounded by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues.

"We give it everything until we can't anymore and then we have to move on."

Despite recent poor showings at the ballot box, Varadkar insisted that he believed the government could be re-elected.

But he added: "I believe a new taoiseach (prime minister) will be better placed than me to achieve that — to renew and strengthen the top team, to refocus our message and policies, and to drive implementation."

"After seven years in office, I am no longer the best person for that job," he said.

"My reasons for stepping down now are personal and political, but mainly political," he said, without ellaborating.

Earlier this month, Varadkar was widely blamed for a twin defeat, including the biggest-ever referendum loss by a government, on proposals to reform references to women, th e family and care in the Irish constitution.

Youngest PM from ethnic minority background

Varadkar said his centre-right Fine Gael party would have a leadership contest, and that he would remain as premier until the new leader is elected, after parliament returns from recess next month.

Varadkar first became Ireland's prime minister in June 2017. He was the youngest person to ever hold the office, first from an ethnic minority background.

He stepped down as part of a deal with opposition parties after his party's poor performance in the 2020 general election, but took over for a second time in 2022 as part of the same agreement.

Varadkar, a pugnacious speaker in parliament, was in charge of Ireland's response to the Covid pandemic and during Brexit negotiations, where he helped prevent a hard border with UK-run Northern Ireland.

Fine Gael has lost five recent by-elections, leading some insiders to see Varadkar as an electoral liability.

Ten of the party's lawmakers have announced that they do not plan to stand at the next election.

In London, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's spokesman said of Varadkar: "We wish him well on his next steps and we'll continue to work closely with him as a successor is sought."

Francis Meehan, a 66-year-old council worker, hailed Varadkar's handling of the Covid crisis. "Of course his experience as a medical doctor shone out," he said.

Varadkar's potential successors include cabinet ministers Simon Harris (education), Simon Coveney (trade), and Helen McEntee (justice).

Political analysts said an election was not expected in the wake of the announcement, though opposition parties queued up to demand a vote.

Sinn Fein's leader Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the opposition, urged Varadkar to call an early election, saying it was "unthinkable" that a "conclave" of Fi ne Gael politicians decide the next prime minister.