Irish Prime Minister Varadkar Resigns After Two Terms, Cites Desire for New Leadership Ahead of Elections
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Leo Varadkar unexpectedly resigned as Irish prime minister after two terms, wanting a new leader to be "better placed" to win the next election.
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Varadkar was Ireland's first gay, mixed-race, and youngest prime minister at 38 years old when elected in 2017.
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A recent failed referendum to modernize Ireland's constitution was seen as a factor in Varadkar's declining popularity.
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Varadkar oversaw Brexit negotiations to prevent a hard border between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
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The favorite to succeed Varadkar is higher education minister Simon Harris, who at 37 would become Ireland's youngest ever prime minister.