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Leo VaradkarPrime Minister of Ireland from 17 December 2022
Date of Birth: 18.01.1979
Country:  Ireland |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Political Career
- Leader of Fine Gael
- First Premiership (2017-2020)
- Post-Premiership
- Second Premiership (2022-Present)
Early Life and Education
Lео Varadkar was born on 18 January 1979, in Dublin, Ireland, to Ashok Varadkar, an Indian doctor from Mumbai, and Miriam Varadkar, an Irish nurse. The family relocated to Ireland in 1973 when Varadkar was one year old. He attended an Anglican-owned private school and then studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin. During his medical studies, Varadkar became actively involved in politics through the youth wing of the Fine Gael party.
Political Career
In 2003, Varadkar was appointed to the Fingal County Council, and in 2004, he was elected to the council in his own right. In 2007, he was elected to the national parliament, the Dáil Éireann. After the 2011 general election, Fine Gael became the leading party in the government, and Varadkar was appointed Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, and subsequently Minister for Health.
Leader of Fine Gael
On 2 June 2017, Varadkar was elected leader of Fine Gael, defeating incumbent Minister for Housing, Simon Coveney.
First Premiership (2017-2020)
On 14 June 2017, Varadkar became Taoiseach (Prime Minister) of Ireland, making him the country's first openly gay leader and the youngest Taoiseach in Irish history. He also assumed the portfolio of Minister for Defence.
During his first premiership, Varadkar oversaw the legalization of abortion through a constitutional referendum, and the successful negotiation of a Brexit deal with the United Kingdom.
Post-Premiership
Varadkar resigned as Taoiseach on 20 February 2020, after failing to gain sufficient support in a leadership vote.
Second Premiership (2022-Present)
As part of a power-sharing agreement, Varadkar became Taoiseach once more on 17 December 2022. He appointed Micheál Martin as Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Foreign Affairs.
