Varadkar prepares to become taoiseach for second time
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Leo Varadkar is preparing to becoming Ireland’s premier for the second time in a power handover agreed in the deal that formed the current coalition government.
Fine Gael leader Mr Varadkar will replace Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin as taosieach at a special sitting of the Dail parliament in Dublin on Saturday.
Setting aside almost a century of animosity, the two parties forged out of Ireland’s Civil War of the 1920s agreed to share power together in 2020 after that year’s inconclusive general election result.
Ireland’s Green Party also joined the coalition.
While Fianna Fail emerged from the 2020 poll narrowly winning the most seats (38), Sinn Fein (which won 37 seats) secured the most first preference votes.
Sinn Fein accused its two main rivals of conspiring to keep it out of power and has continued to heavily criticise the coalition administration in its role as the main opposition party in the Dail.
The dynamic between the three big parties is set to dominate the narrative of Irish politics leading up to the next general election, which has to take place before spring 2025.
Mr Varadkar previously served as taoiseach from 2017 to 2020 at the head of a minority Fine Gael administration that relied on a confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna Fail to maintain power.
The mid term switch of premiers will also prompt a cabinet reshuffle in Dublin, however, there is expected to be minimal movement among the departmental portfolios.
Mr Martin will become deputy premier (tanaiste) and will also take on a ministerial post.
Mr Varadkar held the enterprise brief when he served as tanaiste and will vacate that post upon becoming taoiseach.
One scenario could see Mr Martin become Ireland’s foreign affairs minister – a position he held over a decade ago.
Current foreign affairs minister Simon Coveney could then potentially replace his party leader Mr Varadkar at the helm of the department of enterprise.
It has already been agreed as part of the coalition agreement that Fine Gael Finance Minister Pascal Donohoe and Fianna Fail Minister for Public Expenditure Michael McGrath will switch roles.
Saturday’s formalities will commence with Mr Martin officially resigning at an engagement with Irish President Michael D Higgins in Dublin.
Mr Varadkar will then be nominated taoiseach during a sitting of the Dail.
The Fine Gael leader will then himself travel to Mr Higgins’ residence at Aras an Uachtarain where his appointment will be confirmed.
Cabinet colleagues will also be confirmed in office by the president later in the day before the new-look government is expected to hold its first meeting.
