Simon Harris has been officially appointed as the new leader of the Irish political party Fine Gael, positioning the 37-year-old to potentially become Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach (prime minister).
As an Irish government minister, Mr. Harris emerged as the sole candidate to pursue the party leadership, succeeding Leo Varadkar, who disclosed his resignation as party leader and Taoiseach on Wednesday.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Harris described assuming the role of Fine Gael leader as “the honor of my life.”
He extended his appreciation to the party and its supporters for placing their trust in him, pledging to reciprocate that trust through diligent effort.
Mr Harris later told the members that “this is a moment for Fine Gael to reset, it is a moment for Fine Gael to reconnect”.
Nominations for the Fine Gael leadership concluded at 13:00 local time on Sunday, with Mr. Harris emerging as the sole candidate for the position.
As the Irish Minister for Further and Higher Education, Mr. Harris had an uncontested path to the leadership position after other ministers, who were considered potential contenders, withdrew their candidacies.
Ministers such as Helen McEntee, Paschal Donohoe, and Heather Humphreys threw their support behind Mr. Harris.