'We need an election' - Irish people react with shock as Leo Varadkar resigns as Taoiseach

Social media has reacted with shock as Leo Varadkar announced his resignation a Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael this afternoon (March 20). 

Addressing the press outside Leinster House just after 12pm noon, Varadkar - who has served as Taoiseach twice, Tánaiste once, and has held a number of ministries - confirmed the news of his exit from the political elite. 

Speaking to the press, he confirmed his resignation as Taoiseach and as Fine Gael leader, but stated he will remain as TD for Dublin West. 

He said, "It has been a privilege to serve for the last twenty years, thirteen as a member of Cabinet and seven as leader of my party, and most of those as Taoiseach of this great country." 

He called it "the most fulfilling time" of his life and noted successes including his work for LGBTQ people and women's equality and bodily autonomy. 

He also spoke of his pride leading the country through the inflation and cost of living crisis, the worst of which he said is "behind us", as well as the Covid-19 pandemic and Brexit.  

Touching upon some of the areas where government has "sadly gone backwards", he said, "I hope you'll forgive me, [I'll] leave it to others to point them out on a day like this, they will receive plenty of air time and column space." 

He said, "When I became party leader and Taoiseach back in June 2017, I knew that one part of leadership is knowing when to pass on the baton of leadership to somebody else, and having the courage to do it. 

"That time is now."

According to Varadkar, a new Taoiseach will be elected when the Dáil resumes after the Easter Break. 

He continued: "I know this will come as a surprise to many people, and a disappointment to some, and I hope at least you will understand my decision. 

"I know that others will, how should I put it, cope with the news just fine. That is the great thing about living in a democracy. 

"There's never a right time to resign high office, however this is as good a time as any." 

The announcement has been made two months before the European elections and approximately a year before the next General Election. 

According to Varadkar, his reasons for stepping down are "both personal and political". 

News of the announcement leaked online approximately an hour before the official press conference, with RTÉ correspondents confirming the news had remained a closely guarded secret up until then. 

The decision on the next Taoiseach should NOT be made by the Fine Gael.

The people should have the right to decide.

We need a general election.#GeneralElectionNOW pic.twitter.com/TWVNioz8JK

— Paul Murphy ️‍⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) March 20, 2024

TD for Dublin South-West, Paul Murphy, called for a general election ahead of the Taoiseach's announcement. 

Posting his comments on X (formerly Twitter), he said, "The decision on the next Taoiseach should not be made by the Fine Gael parliamentary party. The people should have the right to decide. We need a general election." 

Varadkar's announcement today comes as a number of TDs announced they will not be contesting the next General Election, most recently Galway TD, Ciarán Cannon. 

Commenting on X yesterday (March 19), he wrote, "Good morning all. After much reflection I have decided not to contest the next general election. Thanks to all of you who have been so supportive over the last 20 years. It’s spring time, a time for new beginnings." 

He later told RTÉ News it was due to what he described as "toxicity" in politics. 

Aontú leader, Peadar Tóíbin, welcomed Varadkar's resignation, and has called on the government to hold a General Election on the same day as the Local Elections. 

In a press release published as Varadkar was due to address the press, Deputy Tóibín said, "Under Varadkar's leadership, Fine Gael have not won any elections. He has been a failure by any objective measure when one looks at the rising housing and healthcare crises. In recent times his survival method seems to have been to capitulate to NGOs and culture wars. He emerged from the recent referendum results extremely weakened.

The position of Taoiseach cannot be passed around like snuff at a wake.

This will be the 2nd time the position of Taoiseach will passed on without a mandate.

The referendum shows the government is not trusted.

There must be a general election now. https://t.co/KFpXVCkUHL

— Peadar Tóibín TD (@Toibin1) March 20, 2024

"The office of Taoiseach has already been passed around like snuff at a wake, without democratic mandate since the last election, what we face now is a third Taoiseach since the election. This is wrong and undemocratic. Leo Varadkar should have done the right thing and called a general election to be held on the same day as the local and European elections." 

He continued: "In October 2019, Leo Varadkar, as Taoiseach, apologised to the women wronged by the CervicalCheck scandal and promised that no woman would ever have to go through courts again to get justice. Despite that promise, four years later more than 170 women have done just that and have gone through the court system to get justice. Leo Varadkar was Minister for Health at the time the CervicalCheck scandal happened.

"However, he said he has no recollection of being informed of it. As Minister for Health, Leo Varadkar said, short of an asteroid hitting this planet, the national children's hospital would be built for €750 million and open by 2020. It is currently double that cost - the cost could reach €2 billion before it is open - and will not be open until 2025. It is an incredible situation that a party which prides itself as a party of prudence is actually the party that is presiding over serious cost overruns across capital projects. 

"When Leo Varadkar was in his last year as Taoiseach, 35 of the 38 most significant capital projects in the State were over budget, including the national broadband plan, the national maternity hospital and others. It seems that when one puts the word "national" beside a capital project in this country, it adds hundreds of millions of euro to the cost and puts the project way over time.

"On his way out of health, Deputy Varadkar cut the mental health budget in the State by a third. His record speaks for itself. We need an election this side of the summer recess." 

Minister Pippa Hackett praised Varadkar's "dedication" to the role of Taoiseach in a statement released today. 

She said, "As a minister who as sat alongside him in cabinet I know it is a role he both enjoyed and was very good at. It is never easy to make the decision to step away from the highest office in Government so I believe it’s a brave decision.

"Obviously the work of Government will go on uninterrupted. Leo will remain as Taoiseach in the coming weeks, and our work continues." 

Maria Walsh MEP thanked the Taoiseach on X: "Let me thank our Fine Gael leader and outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. He has served the Irish people and communities for over 20 years in public service. Politics requires courage and commitment and Leo delivered on both in equal measure." 

The Vice-Chair of Young Fine Gael, Piotr Michalak, also commented on the news: "Sad day to see our Taoiseach resign, a great man who always took time to meet and talk to everyone, a great Taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael who always worked to improve Ireland and remove injustice in our society and make our country better. I wish him the best." 

However, leader of the Social Democrats, Holly Cairns TD, rejected the idea of another Fine Gael Taoiseach. 

Commenting on X, she said: "The writing is on the wall for this government, even the Taoiseach can see that. They’re failing on so many fronts. In housing, health, climate - the list goes on and on and on.

"A new Fine Gael Taoiseach isn’t going to fix that. We need a new government. We need an election." 

The writing is on the wall for this government, even the Taoiseach can see that.

They’re failing on so many fronts. In housing, health, climate - the list goes on and on and on.

A new Fine Gael Taoiseach isn’t going to fix that. We need a new government. We need an election.

— Holly Cairns TD (@HollyCairnsTD) March 20, 2024

Speculation on who will be named the next Taoiseach is rampant on social media, with Simon Harris and Simon Coveney the most common names being discussed. 

One X user stated, "Simon Harris has been seen running up and down the steps of the Custom House like Rocky Balboa preparing his leadership bid." 

Another commented: "Will we now see Simon Harris have his moment in the sun?" 

However, the discussion is not all positive. 

One X user commented: "Speaks volumes about the current state of Irish politics that the last general election was called due to Simon Harris's incompetence and inability to pass a confidence vote in the Dáil and that there's every chance he might be the next Taoiseach. Shuffling chairs on the Titanic." 

Another X user stated, "It's a sad state of affairs when Simon Harris is the best on offer after Leo resigning." 

Another wrote: "I’m guessing it’ll be Simon Coveney. So two Cork lads in charge. After Cillian Murphy’s Oscar and Bambie Thug for Eurovision, Cork are gonna be insufferable." 

Do you think I’d make a good Taoiseach? Heard there was an opening ‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/ePc0gMRCgX

— Mr.Tayto Ireland (@MrTaytoIreland) March 20, 2024

According to the Tánaiste, Michéal Martin, he and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan were told about Varadkar's plans last night (March 19). 

He stated the news surprised him, but that he wished Varadkar well. 

Addressing the press, Martin confirmed the coalition will go ahead and said: "On a personal level, we got on well." 

The online reaction to Varadkar's resignation was overall mixed, with praise from political colleagues and some of the electorate, as well as a good deal of criticism. 

One X user posted: "He destroys the country and calls it courage to walk away now when the place is a shithole... he should be jailed!" 

Meanwhile, another X user stated: "Thank you for your service Leo." 

Another commented: "We won't be any better off though, his replacement will just carry on where he leaves off!"