The governing party of Ireland Fine Gael has named Leo Varadkar as its new leader on Friday, which means that the openly gay, 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant will succeed Enda Kenny as prime minister. Varadkar is expected to be voted in officially when parliament next sits on June 13. He will be the first gay PM of the once deeply Catholic country and the youngest person ever to hold the office. </s> Ireland’s governing Fine Gael party on Friday elected Leo Varadkar, the gay son of an Indian immigrant, as its new leader and the country’s likely next prime minister.

Varadkar defeated rival Simon Coveney in a contest to replace Enda Kenny, who resigned last month.

“If my election as leader of Fine Gael today has shown anything, it is that prejudice has no hold on this republic,” Varadkar said after his victory was announced in Dublin.

Coveney won the votes of a majority of party members, but Varadkar was backed by most lawmakers and local representatives to give him victory under the centre-right party’s electoral college system.

He is highly likely to become prime minister in Ireland’s coalition government, although not immediately. Kenny will remain in place for a couple more weeks while Varadkar holds talks with other parties and independents propping up the Fine Gael-led government.

His confirmation as Taoiseach — Ireland’s prime minister — would come when the lower house of parliament resumes after a break on June 13.

At 38, Varadkar would be Ireland’s youngest prime minister, as well as the first from an ethnic-minority background and the first openly gay leader.

Varadkar was born in Dublin in 1979, the son of an Indian doctor and an Irish nurse. He came out publicly as gay in the run-up to a 2015 referendum that legalized same-sex marriage in Ireland.

If confirmed as prime minister, Varadkar will lead a country still emerging from the shadow of the 2008 global financial crisis, which hit the debt-fueled “Celtic Tiger” economy particularly hard.

He also will have to steer Ireland during complex divorce negotiations between Britain and the EU. Brexit has major implications for Ireland, the only EU country to share a land border with the United Kingdom.

Varadkar said he was “aware of the enormous challenges ahead. I’m ready for those challenges, as are we as a party.” </s> Leo Varadkar is on course to succeed Enda Kenny as Ireland's prime minister after the ruling Fine Gael party elected the 38-year-old as leader.

The former social protection minister will be the Catholic country's first openly gay prime minister, its first of Indian descent and the youngest person ever to hold the office.

He received the publicly declared support of almost two-thirds of the parliamentary party, who account for 65 percent of the vote,

On his 36th birthday in January 2015 during an interview on Ireland's RTÉ Radio, Mr Varadkar spoke publicly for the first time about being gay.

He said: 'It’s not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter.

'It’s just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character.'

The announcement made him the first openly gay cabinet member in Ireland.

Varadkar was a prominent advocate of the same-sex marriage referendum.

His partner, Matthew Barrett, is a doctor at Mater Misericordiae University Hospital. </s> Leo Varadkar has become the 11th leader of Fine Gael.

He has been deemed elected the Fine Gael party leader – and Taoiseach elect – in the past few minutes – having secured 60 percent of the total votes. </s> Leo Varadkar was elected Irish Prime Minister on Wednesday, making the 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant the first gay premier of the once-staunchly Catholic country and the youngest person to hold the office.

Despite inheriting Europe's fastest-growing economy, he will face immediate challenges in the shape of neighboring Britain's exit from the European Union, a political crisis in Northern Ireland and a housing crisis at home.

Varadkar succeeded Enda Kenny earlier this month as leader of the Fine Gael party. Colleagues pinned their hopes of an unprecedented third term on the straight-talking Varadkar, who they believe can widen their appeal in elections that may be triggered as soon as next year.

"Enda Kenny's leadership enabled me to become an equal citizen in my own country two short years ago and to aspire to hold this office, an aspiration I once thought was beyond my reach, at least if I chose to be myself," Varadkar said in reference to Ireland's 2015 vote to legalize gay marriage.

"The government I lead will not be one of left or right. The government I lead will be one of the new European center as we seek to build a Republic of opportunity, that is a Republic in which every citizen gets a fair go and in which every part of the country stands to share in our prosperity."

Varadkar's elevation marks another chapter in the social change that has swept through the country of 4.6 million people that only decriminalized homosexuality in 1993 and legalized divorce two years later.

"As the country's youngest holder of this office, he speaks for a new generation of Irish women and Irish men, he represents a modern, diverse and inclusive Ireland and speaks for them like no other," Kenny told parliament, nominating his successor.

However it is his policies that will attract more scrutiny at home with opponents warning that the former health, tourism and social protection minister, who first joined the center-right party aged 17, would nudge it further to the right.

While analysts expect few major policy shifts from Varadkar and his new cabinet, the new Fine Gael leader has hinted at some changes.

He has pledged to introduce a less ambitious debt reduction target than the one set by Kenny's government last year, and to lobby the EU for additional leeway to free up more funding for badly needed infrastructure projects.

On Brexit, he wants Northern Ireland, a British province, to remain in the EU's single market and retain access to as many EU programs as possible to ensure it secures a "soft" Brexit that he has said appears more likely following last week's British election.

Varadkar told parliament on Wednesday that Ireland would hold a referendum next year on liberalizing Ireland's abortion laws, currently among the most restrictive in Europe.

European Council President Donald Tusk, tweeting words of congratulations in the Irish language, assured Varadkar that his fellow EU leaders shared a "great sensitivity" about the challenge the island of Ireland faces in the Brexit talks.

Varadkar, who took his seat in parliament 10 years ago to the day on Wednesday, named Paschal Donohoe finance minister, replacing the retiring Michael Noonan. Donohoe will also retain his existing portfolio as public expenditure minister.

Donohoe, 42, has managed budgetary policy with Noonan for the last year and was previously transport minister where he successfully negotiated the sale of the state's 30 percent stake in former flag carrier Aer Lingus to IAG.

Varadkar also appointed his chief rival for the leadership, former housing minister Simon Coveney, as foreign minister. </s> Leo Varadkar has become the 11th leader of Fine Gael.

He has been deemed elected the Fine Gael party leader - and Taoiseach elect - having secured 60 percent of the total votes.

 

In his first speech as leader he thanked party members as Gaeilge for the high honour paid to him through election 'as leader of this historic party'.

He said, "I accept it with humility and am aware of the enormous challenges ahead. I am ready for those challenges, as are we, as a party." </s> London: Leo Varadkar, a 38-year-old Indian-origin doctor, on Wednesday scripted history by becoming Ireland's youngest and the first openly gay prime minister of the Catholic-majority country, as he promised to build "a republic of opportunity".

Varadkar, the country's first Indian-origin premier, officially took over from Enda Kenny as Taoiseach, as the Irish prime ministerial title is known, after a parliamentary vote in Dublin confirmed him as the leader by 57 votes to 50, with 47 abstentions.

The former general physician, who is the son of an Irish nurse and a doctor from India, won the Fine Gael party leadership earlier this month. He has made his leadership rival Simon Coveney the deputy leader of the party.

Addressing the Dail (Irish parliament), after his election, Varadkar said, "I've been elected to lead but I promise to serve."

"The government that I lead will not be one of left or right because those old divisions don't comprehend the political challenges of today. The government I lead will be one of the new European centre as we seek to build a republic of opportunity," Varadkar asserted.

He then travelled to the president's residence, Aras an Uachtarain, where President Michael D Higgins gave him the seals of office to officially confirm his appointment.

Former Taoiseach Kenny nominated Varadkar to succeed him at the start of today's Dail proceedings, saying that he would carry out the role with integrity and skill.

"As the country's youngest holder of this office, he speaks for a new generation of Irish women and Irish men," he said.

"He (Varadkar) represents a modern, diverse and inclusive Ireland and speaks for them like no other, an Ireland in which each person can fulfil their potential and live their dreams," Kenny said.

After winning the party leadership earlier this month, Varadkar had said, "If my election shows anything it's that prejudice has no hold in this Republic."

"When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed his son would grow up to be its leader," he had said.

The Dublin-born son of Mumbai-born Ashok Varadkar and Irish mother Miriam, served as Ireland's welfare minister and had emerged as the most popular choice since he announced his candidacy after Kenny stepped down as prime minister earlier this year.

Varadkar qualified as a doctor from the prestigious Trinity College, Dublin, and was first elected as a councillor at the age of 24 and took a seat in the Dail in 2007.

He went up against housing minister Coveney in the leadership race, who bagged two-thirds of the party membership votes but lost out to the more popular candidate in the end.

Varadkar came out as a gay man in 2015, when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same-sex marriage through popular vote.

In a coming-out speech he gave in a radio interview, he had said, "It's not something that defines me. I'm not a half-Indian politician, or a doctor politician or a gay politician for that matter. It's just part of who I am, it doesn't define me, it is part of my character I suppose."

His family originates from Varad in Maharashta's Sindhudurg district, and Leo Varadkar kept his Indian connect alive, completing an internship at the King Edward Memorial Hospital in Mumbai.

His partner, Matthew Barrett, is also a doctor.

"Matt is just a very special person. Someone who is unconditionally on my side, which is always great. He is the kind of person who has made me a better person," Varadkar recently said.

The popular minister has campaigned for same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws.

He worked as a general practitioner (GP) before winning a seat in Parliament and has rapidly risen through the party ranks, holding several ministerial portfolios including minister for social protection and minister for transport, tourism and sports.

Fine Gael is Ireland's centre-right political party, seen as taking liberal positions on several social and economic issues. </s> Ireland’s governing Fine Gael party has elected Leo Varadkar, the gay son of an Indian immigrant, as its new leader and the country’s likely next prime minister.

Mr Varadkar defeated rival Simon Coveney in a contest to replace Enda Kenny, who resigned last month. He won 60 per cent of the votes.

Mr Coveney won the votes of a majority of party members,

But Mr Varadkar was backed by most politicians and local representatives to give him victory under the centre-right party’s electoral college system.

He is highly likely to become prime minister in Ireland’s coalition government, although not immediately.

Mr Kenny will remain for a couple of weeks while Mr Varadkar holds talks with other members of the Fine Gael-led coalition government.

At 38, Mr Varadkar will be Ireland’s youngest leader, as well as the first from an ethnic-minority background and the first openly gay leader.

Mr Kenny, who did not turn up to the count, offered his “heartiest congratulations” to Mr Varadkar in statement.

“This is a tremendous honour for him and I know he will devote his life to improving the lives of people across our country,” he said.

Mr Kenny said he would provide a “brief but appropriate period” for Mr Varadkar to engage with other parties and groupings about leading the country.

He announced last month he was stepping down after repeated calls for him to stand aside after 15 years at the helm of the party and six years in charge of government.

Mr Varadkar, Ireland’s first openly gay cabinet minister and the son of an immigrant doctor, had been the clear favourite to replace him.

The 38-year-old from Dublin battled for the coveted role against Mr Coveney, a 44-year-old father-of-three from Cork.

Prior to the vote, Mr Kenny sent a series of messages on Twitter to send good wishes to both men, telling them they had energised the party.

“I remember this day almost 15 years ago and the sense of excitement & possibility,” he said.

“I pledge my full support to whoever is elected, in the important work at government level, to which the new leader will have to dedicate...their life in service of the people of this great Republic. My enduring belief in the potential of this country is boundless.”

Fine Gael politicians and members voted for the new party leader this week. The ballot is decided in an electoral college system that gives the parliamentary party, made up of 73 TDs, senators and MEPs, 65 per cent of the vote. Several thousand rank-and-file members of the party have 25 per cent and 235 local representatives 10 per cent.

Ireland’s new Taoiseach is not expected to be formally confirmed until 13 June when the Dail parliament resumes.

Among Mr Kenny’s final official overseas engagements will be a two-day trade mission to Chicago next week and the centenary commemoration of the start of the Battle of Messines in the First World War where soldiers from all over Ireland fought together. </s> LEO Varadkar has been confirmed as the new leader of Fine Gael - and looks set to become the youngest Taoiseach in the history of the State aged just 38.

Frontrunner Leo battled for the coveted role against Simon Coveney, a 44-year-old father-of-three from Cork.

4 Leo Varadkar celebrates after he was elected Taoiseach Credit: PA:Press Association

The Dubliner won 70 per cent of the parliamentary vote after getting the 55 per cent of councillor's backing earlier on.

Overall Varadkar won the race with 60 per cent of the party backing him and becomes the 11th leader of Fine Gael.

The Fine Gael leadership race - and with it the fight to be Taoiseach - began in the middle of May after Enda Kenny confirmed the long-awaited date for his departure.

4 Varadkar and Coveney show unity after the final result Credit: PA:Press Association

Ireland's new Taoiseach is not expected to be formally confirmed until June 13 when the Dail resumes following a week long break.

Speaking after the vote, current Taoiseach Enda Kenny offered his "heartiest congratulations" to Deputy Varadkar on his election as Leader of the Fine Gael party.

"This is a tremendous honour for him and I know he will devote his life to improving the lives of people across our country.

"He will have my full support in the work that lies ahead.

4 The vote was being tallied from after 2pm Credit: Getty Images

“The most important priority has to be the continued progress of our country led by Fine Gael in Government. I know that Leo has the capacity to provide the leadership required in order to achieve this.”

“I want to also thank and pay tribute to Simon Coveney for making the Leadership Election a real contest.

"This has been a wonderful exercise in democracy for the Fine Gael party," he added.

4 Varadkar replaces Enda Kenny as Fine Gael leader and is likely to become Taoiseach Credit: PA:Press Association

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin TD commented: “I wish to congratulate Leo Varadkar on his election as Fine Gael Leader. This is a proud moment for him and his family.

“Like many people I am glad that the long standing issue over the leadership of the Fine Gael party is now settled.

"Irish politics over the last twelve months has not been as productive as it could or should have been, and there is no doubt that the internal dynamic within Fine Gael has been the most influential factor in this."

He continued: “Fianna Fáil remains committed to delivering in full the Confidence and Supply Agreement.

“I look forward to meeting with the new Leader of Fine Gael... and delivering on the commitments in our three year agreement."

How the Fine Gael leadership vote is calculated The new leader of Fine Gael was decided in an electoral college system that gives the Fine Gael parliamentary party, made up of 73 TDs, senators and MEPs, 65 per cent of the vote.

The 21,000 rank-and-file members of the party have 25% and 235 local representatives 10 per cent.

As the first openly gay Irish Cabinet Minister, Mr Varadkar has enjoyed a meteoric rise through the ranks of the party.

He was first elected a TD ten years ago, having joined Fine Gael while still in school.

In a radio interview in January 2015, on his 36th birthday, he revealed he was gay and was a prominent supporter of the Yes campaign in the same-sex marriage referendum the following May.

He kept tight-lipped on his leadership hopes in the days that followed Kenny's resignation, as nine Senators and 17 TDs gave him their backing on the first day of campaigning.

Varadkar's team also secretly launched a new campaign website - asking the public for help.

Supporters of Varadkar claim their man has the charisma to be the country’s next leader but Coveney insisted: “People are not looking for a Taoiseach with an X factor.”

Varadkar was tight-lipped in the early days of the campaign, but finally broke his silence to the Irish Sun on May 19 - revealing he was happy with how it had been going at that stage.

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Varadkar and Coveney then battled in out in four party hustings across the country last week.

Leo accused his fellow Fine Gael contender Coveney of being divisive and dishonest - but Coveney hit back as voting began.

But the writing was on the wall for Coveney from the start, as Leo cruised to victory, with the Housing Minister needing a massive vote from the party membership to claw back his rival's lead.

Varadkar's Fine Gael story so far Varadkar graduated from the School of Medicine in Trinity College in 2003 and spent several years working as a junior doctor in Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown before qualifying as a GP in 2010. He was only 20 and in his second year in medical school when he contested the local elections in 1999 — but he only scored 380 first ­preference votes and was eliminated on the fifth count. He was co-opted onto Fingal County Council in 2004, before being elected to Dail Eireann in the 2007 ­general election. Varadkar was immediately appointed as Fine Gael’s spokesman for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. He was re-elected in 2011 when Fine Gael came into power and he was made Transport Minister. In a cabinet reshuffle in 2014, he replaced James Reilly as Health Minister. He was returned to the Dail in the 2016 general election and was subsequently handed the job of Social ­Protection Minister.

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Leo Varadkar becomes the new party leader of Fine Gael, after winning 51 of 73 votes in the parliamentary party, and is expected to become Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, which would make him the youngest and first openly gay man to be Taoiseach, as well as being the first of half-Indian descent.