Simon Harris has been elected as Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister, succeeding Leo Varadkar who stepped down from the role last month for personal and political reasons.
In a parliamentary vote on Tuesday, Simon Harris secured the position with a vote of 88-69, receiving support from independent lawmakers as well as coalition partners Fianna Fail and the Green Party. The 37-year-old, formerly the health and higher education minister, gained prominence for his role in managing Ireland’s initial response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After being elected unopposed as the new leader of the centre-right Fine Gael party last month, Harris accepted the nomination to serve as taoiseach (prime minister), expressing his commitment to fulfilling the responsibilities entrusted to him.
Acknowledging the support of his coalition partners, Harris emphasized his intention to lead with unity, collaboration, and mutual respect. He pledged to revitalize and refocus his party, steering it towards its core values such as promoting business, farming, and law and order.
