Leo Varadkar: Irish leader caps off legacy of firsts with shock departure
theguardian.comMar 20
Republic of Ireland: Prime Minister Varadkar to Step Down
The Facts
Leo Varadkar has announced he will be stepping down as the Republic of Ireland's (ROI) taoiseach (prime minister). This decision comes days after his coalition government failed to pass two referendums.
Varadkar cited both "personal and political" reasons for his decision. While stepping down as leader of the Fine Gael Party with immediate effect, Varadkar will remain as taoiseach until a successor is decided in an election set to take place by April 16.
The Spin
Left narrative
Despite the referendum defeats, Varadkar's decision to step down is surprising and disappointing. Varadkar's outcries against the war in Gaza and his role during Brexit and the COVID pandemic showed he's a voice that could've been crucial in the future. But as the first openly gay European leader and the son of an immigrant, his tenure will undoubtedly leave its mark on Ireland's history.
Right narrative
With two embarrassing referendum results and his obsession with progressive optics and rhetoric over real change, Varadkar's resignation is a favor to ROI. A man of little conviction outside of the whims of the urban elites of Dublin, the majority of the country will be pleasantly surprised that the opportunity has arisen to move in a new direction.
Nerd narrative
There's a 45% chance that Ireland and Northern Ireland will reunite before Jan. 1, 2051, according to the Metaculus prediction community.