The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
March 21, 2024

Irish Leader Leo Varadkar Resigns: "The Time Has Come to Pass on the Baton"
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

In a surprise move, Ireland's leader, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, announced
Wednesday he is resigning, stating simply, "The time has come to pass on
the baton."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: "I know inevitably there will be speculation as
to the, quote-unquote, 'real reason' for my decision. These are the real
reasons. That's it. I have nothing else lined up. I have nothing in
mind. I have no definite personal or political plans. But I'm really
looking forward to having the time to think about them."

At 45, Varadkar is Ireland's youngest-ever taoiseach. He's also
Ireland's first openly gay leader and first Indian and mixed-race
leader. On Sunday, he called for a Gaza ceasefire as he joined President
Biden at the White House for a St. Patrick's Day celebration.


.