Leo Varadkar has announced that he will step down as Taoiseach and the leader of Fine Gael.
The Taoiseach delivered the news in a planned press conference at 12 noon on Wednesday afternoon.
The Cabinet had reportedly been meeting in Government Buildings in advance of the announcement.
Media gathering at Govt Buildings – ahead of significant announcement by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar @rtenews pic.twitter.com/eCLVWYSewE
— Paul Cunningham (@RTENewsPaulC) March 20, 2024
Government parties say that they do not expect today’s announcement to trigger a general election.
The press conference was shown live on the RTÉ News channel and RTÉ One.
Leo has been in the government party for 13 years and its leader since June 2017.
The 45-year-old first became Taoiseach in 2017, aged 38.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a coalition deal with Fianna Fáil was finally agreed, with the support of the Green Party.
Leo then became Tánaiste and Enterprise Minister.
In December 2022, he returned to the office of Taoiseach, as part of a deal with the coalition.
During the press conference Leo said that his reason for stepping down was “both personal and political.”
He said that one part of leadership was “knowing when to hand over the baton to somebody else, and having the courage to do it.”
“That time is now,” he said, adding that effective today he was resigning as leader of Fine Gael and will resign as Taoiseach “as soon as my successor is able to take up that office.”
He continued: “I know this will come as a surprise to many people, and a disappointment for some, but i hope you will understand my decision.”
“There is never a right time to resign high office, however this is as good a time as any.”
“Budget 2024 is done, negotiations have not yet begun on the next one.”
“The new Taoiseach will have a full two months to prepare for the local and European elections, and up to a year for the next general election,” he added.
