Meath: New captain succeeds after Leo Varadkar to lead Ireland. Simon Harris became the new leader of Fine Gael today during a special party conference. Wicklow TD Simon Harris (37) is set to become Ireland's youngest Prime Minister.
Willie Geraghty, chairman of the party's executive council, confirmed him as leader at a meeting after nominations closed and no other candidates put their names forward for the leadership. He was greeted with hugs and applause by party members as he arrived at the European Elections Selection Convention event in Athlone, Co Westmeath this afternoon, where he was chosen to succeed Leo Varadkarin after no other candidates came forward.
Simon Harris said it was a "reset" moment for Fine Gael as he was confirmed as party leader. In his reply speech, Harris said he would go back to Fine Gael's "respectable, hard-working base". Mr Harris, 37, currently the further and higher education minister, will be formally elected as Taoiseach in the Dáil in April following the Easter recess.
The new decision follows Leo Varadkar's shock announcement that he will step down as leader of Fine Gael and Taoiseach will step down once his successor is chosen. Speaking to the party members, Harris said that the faith reposed in him will be rewarded with hard work.
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