ATHLONE, Ireland (Reuters) – Simon Harris was named as Ireland’s prime minister in waiting on Sunday, following the closure of nominations for the leadership of the Fine Gael party. No other candidate publicly declared their intention to succeed Leo Varadkar.
Harris, a 37-year-old minister who played a significant role in the country’s initial response to COVID-19, will officially become the new leader of the centre-right party on Sunday. He will address party members in Athlone, a town in the Irish midlands.
Upon the next parliamentary session on April 9, Harris will be voted in as Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister with the support of Fine Gael’s coalition partners. He will have less than a year to ensure the coalition’s survival ahead of parliamentary elections.
Recent polls have consistently shown Sinn Fein, a left-wing party advocating for unification with Northern Ireland, as the frontrunner to lead the next government. However, recent polls indicated a decline in support for Sinn Fein, with smaller parties and independent candidates gaining momentum.
Before Varadkar’s resignation, a Business Post/Red C poll showed Sinn Fein leading Fine Gael by 6 percentage points. An Irish Independent/Ireland Thinks survey after Varadkar’s departure revealed a 5-point lead for Sinn Fein following a slight increase in support for Fine Gael.
Varadkar’s unexpected announcement of his departure on Wednesday shocked many, including his political allies. He believed Fine Gael would have a better chance at re-election under a new leader.
Harris shared his journey into politics, mentioning his teenage years as an opinionated individual concerned about the lack of support for his autistic brother. Despite portraying himself as an “accidental politician,” Harris has been actively involved in politics for most of his adult life.
Known for his strong media presence, Harris has been dubbed the “TikTok taoiseach” (Irish for prime minister) by a parliamentary opponent due to his active social media engagement. However, under his leadership, addressing the ongoing housing crisis and the influx of asylum seekers will be key challenges.
Inheriting a three-party coalition government with an established policy program leaves Harris with limited room for significant new policy initiatives. While the economy flourished under Varadkar’s leadership, Harris faces pressing issues that require immediate attention.
(Reporting by Padraic Halpin and Graham Fahy; editing by Mark Heinrich)
