Irish parliament to confirm Simon Harris as new prime minister

Simon Harris will be formally appointed as Ireland's prime minister by parliament on Tuesday, replacing Leo Varadkar, who abruptly quit last month, citing personal and political reasons.

The center-right Fine Gael party – part of a three-party governing coalition – selected 37-year-old Harris as leader following an uncontested election after Varadkar's resignation.

Pledging to re-energize and "reset" his party, Harris told a weekend conference of its members that he plans to steer it back toward "core values" like promoting business, farming, and law and order.

Harris will become Ireland's youngest ever "taoiseach" – a Gaelic word for "chieftain" or "leader" pronounced "tee-shock" – beating Varadkar, who was 38 when he took the role in 2017.

Varadkar, who was in his second stint as prime minister and at 45 still one of Europe's youngest leaders, said when he resigned, he felt he was no longer the "best person" to lead the country.

"Politicians are human beings. We have our limitations," he said on March 20 in Dublin, surrounded by his Fine Gael cabinet colleagues.

"We give it everything until we can't any more and then we have to move on," he added.

Harris' prominence on social media, especially on TikTok, has made him one of the most visible politicians in Ireland.

The new taoiseach will face a formidable to-do list, including tackling housing and homelessness crises and criticism of the government's policy on asylum seekers.

One of his first jobs will be to choose his cabinet of ministers.

Harris said last week that some contenders will be "rightly delighted," while others will "feel a sense of personal disappointment."

"I will do my very best to use the best judgment that I have in the mandate I've been given by this party to put together the best cabinet," he said.

(Cover: Simon Harris outlines his key priorities in a speech before being announced as the new Fine Gael leader in Athlone, Ireland, March 24, 2024. /CFP)