Irish government minister Simon Harris appears to be the frontrunner for the Fine Gael leadership and the position of taoiseach, following the announcement of Leo Varadkar’s resignation. With other senior colleagues ruling themselves out of contention, Harris could have a clear path to leadership within the party.
Ministers Paschal Donohoe, Helen McEntee, Heather Humphreys, and Simon Coveney have all stated that they will not seek nomination for the Fine Gael leadership, leaving Harris as a prominent candidate. Minister of State Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has also withdrawn from consideration and thrown her support behind Harris.
Simon Harris (Credits: Irish Examiner)
At 37, Harris would become the youngest taoiseach in Ireland’s history if appointed. Despite the surprise of Varadkar’s resignation, focus has quickly shifted to identifying his successor, with Harris emerging as a prominent contender.
Donohoe emphasized his commitment to his current roles, while McEntee cited timing and ongoing commitments as reasons for her decision not to seek nomination. Humphreys mentioned family commitments as a factor in her decision, while Coveney had already ruled out running on Wednesday.
Simon Harris (Credits: The Times)
Carroll MacNeill expressed her support for Harris, highlighting his vision for the country and the need for meaningful change. She also advocated for the appointment of a female deputy, emphasizing the importance of gender representation in politics.
Harris appears to be gaining momentum as the potential next leader of Fine Gael, with his colleagues rallying behind him as the preferred candidate to lead the party and the country.
