Leo Varadkar takes over as taoiseach for second time as part of historic deal

Leo Varadkar has become taoiseach for a second time as part of an historic coalition reshuffle.

Mr Varadkar, who held the role of taoiseach from 2017 until 2020, remains one of the country’s youngest leaders at the age of 43.

The rotation of the taoiseach role is part of the unprecedented deal that paved the way to the three-party governing coalition formed in June 2020.

The two centre-right parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which emerged from opposing sides of Ireland’s Civil War in the 1920s, have held power since the formation of the state.

The current coalition is the first time the two Civil War parties have gone into power together.

Following the deal, the Fine Gael leader had to learn fast to play second fiddle to Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin as he donned the hat of Tanaiste (deputy premier) for the last two-and-a-half years.

Despite being traditional arch rivals, Mr Varadkar paid tribute to outgoing taoiseach Mr Martin at his party’s recent conference (Ard Fheis).

He said Mr Martin had been a good taoiseach through difficult circumstances, including the later stages of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.

“He has been a voice for decency, kindness and for common sense,” he told Fine Gael members. “We thank him.”

The Dublin West TD made headlines around the world when he became the first openly gay premier and the first of Indian heritage, signalling Ireland’s social progression on the world stage.

Mr Varadkar, who is also a medical doctor, is expected to adapt quickly after retaking the helm of the Irish government in a smooth handover of power.

He inherits many of the same issues that existed when he left the taoiseach’s office in 2020, including the housing crisis which continues to be a thorn in the government’s side.

Mr Varadkar has served various ministerial roles, including minister for enterprise, minister for transport, tourism and sport, minister for health, minister for social protection and minister for defence.

He led the country through the first stages of the Covid pandemic and decided to put the country into a number of lockdowns.

He was praised after he re-registered as a doctor and returned to work one day a week while remaining taoiseach.

In 2019, his meeting with then-UK prime minister Boris Johnson helped secure a Brexit trade agreement for Northern Ireland, breaking a long deadlock on the issue.

But the protocol deal which emerged from the talks caused controversy in Northern Ireland and cast Mr Varadkar as a polarising figure north of the border.

He was widely criticised after using the story of an IRA bombing of a customs post to emphasise the importance of the border issue to EU leaders in 2018.

Mr Varadkar took a copy of an Irish newspaper, which featured the story of the IRA blast, which killed nine people in August 1972, to a summit dinner.

Many unionists hit out at the move and accused him of raising the threat of violence if border controls were introduced between the jurisdictions.

In addition to his difficulties north of the border, Mr Varadkar also faces a tough period ahead as he tries to steer the Republic through a cost-of-living crisis.

Mr Varadkar has also had a colourful tenure as Tanaiste and has not been without controversies.

In July, he was told he will not face prosecution over the leaking of a government pay deal for GPs to a friend in 2019.

The investigation loomed over his return to power but the decision of the director of public prosecutions not to pursue the matter cleared his way back to the Taoiseach’s office.

Mr Varadkar often shares snippets of his life at home with his partner, Matt Barrett.

One picture to get a very mixed reaction was an image of his meal-prepped fridge.

The plastic lunch boxes contained sausages, eggs and ham – sparking a debate over whether it is safe to keep uncovered food in the fridge.

Mr Varadkar and Mr Barrett also welcomed a Ukrainian refugee into their Dublin home a number of months ago. The woman continues to share the property with the couple, it is understood.

Meanwhile, at the party’s Ard Fheis, Mr Varadkar pledged the coalition will work to protect the squeezed middle and vulnerable from increased living costs over the next two years.

He has also pledged to ensure young people can own their own homes, deliver for rural Ireland and farmers, build strong and safer communities and provide the best start for every child.

He also reiterated his long opposition to working with Sinn Fein and promised to grow the centre-ground following the last general election, which saw Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein win similar levels of support.

Describing Sinn Fein as an “ultra nationalist, radical left, populist, euro-critical party”, Mr Varadkar said the party’s policies would be a “disaster for Ireland”.

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