Leo Varadkar wins: Ireland set to install first openly gay Prime Minister
The 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant will succeed Enda Kenny
Ireland’s governing party Fine Gael has elected Leo Varadkar as its new leader, meaning the once-staunchly Catholic country will get its first openly gay prime minister.
The 38-year-old son of an Indian immigrant will also be the youngest-ever person to hold the office, succeeding Enda Kenny, 66, in a striking generational and social change. He is expected to be voted in as prime minister when parliament next sits on 13 June.
“If somebody of my age, of my mixed race background and of all the things that make up my character can potentially become leader of our country, then I think that sends out a message to every child born today that there is no office in Ireland that they can’t aspire to,” Mr Varadkar told Newstalk radio this week.