Simon Harris, at 37, has been elected as Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach, pledging to inject fresh vigor into the ruling coalition following his appointment.
The Dáil voted 88 to 69 on Tuesday to designate Harris, a member of the center-right Fine Gael party, as the successor to Leo Varadkar, who announced his unexpected resignation last month.
“I commit to doing everything that I can to honor the trust that you have placed in me today,” Harris stated before the chamber. “I accept this new role in a spirit of humility, ready for the challenge, and full of energy and determination about what can be achieved. As Taoiseach, I want to bring new ideas, a new energy, and a new empathy to public life.”
Following his election, Harris proceeded to the official residence of President Michael D. Higgins to receive the seal of office before returning to Leinster House to undertake a minor cabinet reshuffle by appointing ministers.
This transition marked the conclusion of the Varadkar era and the commencement of an unofficial countdown to a general election, mandated to be held by March 2025 – a tight timeframe for Harris to deliver on significant promises, such as resolving the housing crisis.
“Now is an opportune time to build a new social contract – one which renews our promise as a republic,” Harris articulated to the Dáil. “To create equality of opportunity. To support those who need the state the most. To protect our hard-earned economic success. To use its benefits to deliver tangible outcomes to society.”
Harris, hailing from a working-class background in Greystones, County Wicklow, gained prominence through political activism and rose through the ranks within Fine Gael, assuming various cabinet positions.
He paid tribute to Varadkar, acknowledging his predecessor’s significant contributions during tumultuous times, particularly navigating Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic. Harris also lauded Varadkar’s pioneering role as Ireland’s first openly gay and mixed-race Taoiseach.
Expressing gratitude to Fine Gael’s coalition partners, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, as well as independent deputies who supported his nomination, Harris emphasized his commitment to reshuffle Fine Gael ministers while maintaining continuity in the remainder of the government.
However, opposition parties reiterated calls for a general election, arguing for a change in government.
Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Féin, criticized the appointment of another Fine Gael Taoiseach, asserting that the public desired a shift in leadership. Ivana Bacik, the leader of the Labour Party, questioned Harris’s mandate from the people and expressed skepticism regarding his ability to deliver transformative change.