Leo Varadkar has announced that he will resign as Taoiseach and leader of the ruling Fine Gael party.
The Prime Minister confirmed his resignation at a press conference outside Government House in Dublin shortly after 12 noon, describing his tenure as “the most fulfilling time of my life”.
Varadkar said the reasons for his resignation were “both personal and political” and that he believed the new party leader would be better able to handle the next general election.
He said: “I believe this government can be re-elected and I believe my party Fine Gael can gain seats at the next election.
“Above all, I believe the re-election of this three-party administration is the right thing to do for the future of our country.
“Continue to lead us forward, protect all the gains that have been made and build on them.
“However, after careful consideration and some deliberation, I am confident that the new Prime Minister and new leader will be better positioned than I to achieve this goal, renew and strengthen the team, focus our message and policy, and drive implementation.
“And, after seven years in the job, I no longer feel like I’m the best person for the job.”
He said his resignation as Fine Gael leader was effective Wednesday and that he would resign as Prime Minister once a successor was chosen.
Mr Varadkar’s resignation from leadership of the three-party coalition, which also includes Fianna Fáil and the Greens, will not automatically trigger a general election.
In 2017, he became Ireland’s first gay Prime Minister and the youngest Prime Minister.
At the 2020 general election, Mr Varadkar led his party to a third-place finish in the Irish House of Commons.
As part of a coalition deal struck between Fine Gael, Fine Gael and the Greens, Mr Varadkar and Michael Martin agreed to serve as Taoiseach for two years each.
Mr Martin was appointed Prime Minister in 2020, with Mr Varadkar serving as Deputy Prime Minister. The two swapped roles in 2022.
The news comes after weeks of turmoil for the coalition government.
It suffered a resounding defeat in two referendums on changes proposed by ministers to the Irish constitution.
The comprehensive defeat is a major blow to Mr Varadkar and other coalition leaders campaigning for a “yes” vote in the referendum.
The announcement comes ahead of Ireland’s local government and European Parliament elections in June.
The next general election must be held by early spring next year.
Last year, ten Fine Gael MPs announced their intention to quit politics at the general election, sparking speculation of discontent within the party.
Cabinet ministers met in Dublin on Wednesday for the first time since the referendum defeat.
Mr Varadkar, 45, has also just returned from the United States, where he had several high-profile meetings with President Joe Biden as part of traditional St Patrick’s Day celebrations.
He once insisted that he would not stay in politics beyond the age of 50, although he later said he regretted making that promise.
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