Ireland has elected a new head of government. Simon Harris, at 37, takes the mantle as the nation's youngest prime minister from the ruling Fine Gael Party, ushering in a dynamic era of leadership.
Previously, the influential Leo Varadkar, with Indian origins, held the title of the youngest prime minister. Varadkar resigned last month, making way for a fresh face in Irish politics. Harris received an overwhelming 88 votes in his favor on Tuesday, backed by coalition partners Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, as well as numerous independent members of Parliament.
Harris, having served as the Minister for Higher Education in Varadkar's government, expressed his profound honor to lead the splendid country of Ireland, vowing to be a prime minister for all, committed to fulfilling the hopes, dreams, and aspirations of the people with relentless dedication.
Becoming an MP at 24, Harris's political journey
Tracing Harris's political trajectory reveals he joined the Fine Gael Party at 16 years old, rapidly ascending to success. By the age of 22, he became a county councillor. At 24, he was elected to Parliament, becoming known as the nation's youngest MP. In 2016, he was appointed Health Minister at 29 years old, and in 2020, he took over the helm of higher education.
As Prime Minister of Ireland, Harris faces a mountain of challenges, from the refugee crisis to the growing number of homeless. However, his immediate task is to form a strong cabinet. With parliamentary elections approaching next year, the new prime minister has approximately a year to make a significant impact.
The reasons behind Leo Varadkar's Resignation
The former prime minister of Indian-Irish descent, Leo Varadkar, recently announced his resignation from his duties and party leadership, citing personal and political reasons, leaving the nation in astonishment. Varadkar stated his intent to step down effectively as the party's president and leader.
