‘This life was never for him’: Leo Varadkar reveals his partner Matthew Barrett is ‘delighted’ with his decision to quit as Irish PM and says the pair shared a takeaway after his emotional resignation speech

Leo Varadkar’s announcement that he is stepping down as Prime Minister of Ireland has “delighted” his husband Matthew Barrett, the politician said today.

Speaking from Brussels today at an EU summit, the taoiseach, who will remain the government’s acting leader until his replacement is elected, told the media that Barrett did not want to get involved in politics.

“This life was never meant for him,” Varadkar said, adding that Barrett is “delighted” with his decision to step down from the top position in Irish politics.

He said the reality of his redundancy has not yet “really sunk in”, and the myriad responsibilities that come with the role mean he has yet to discuss the decision with his family.

A visibly emotional Varadkar, who became Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister in 2017, declared yesterday that an important part of leadership is knowing when to “pass the baton to someone else – and then having the courage to do so”.

The 45-year-old leader said his decision was made for “personal and political” reasons.

His resignation announcement yesterday set off a hotly contested leadership battle in his Fine Gael party.

The race to replace Varadkar as Fine Gael party leader, and by default as taoiseach (prime minister), began almost immediately.

There is already speculation about possible contenders.

The actual competition started on Thursday, with faction members allowed to submit nominations until Monday.

Party members must vote between April 2 and 4 before a winner is declared on April 5.

The Irish parliament – ​​where the ruling coalition’s centre-right parties Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party form a majority – is expected to vote for the new Taoiseach after he returns from recess later in April.

Leading the way is Education Minister Simon Harris, who was expected to formally throw his hat into the ring later on Thursday.

By Thursday afternoon, the 37-year-old had received support from more than 20 party members, including Fine Gael ministers, MPs and Members of the European Parliament.

His campaign said more than 100 councilors are also backing his candidacy to give Fine Gael ‘new energy’.

Several Fine Gael Cabinet ministers and MPs claim a leadership contest would be good for the party.

But with the votes of Fine Gael MPs weighing more than the party’s 20,000-strong membership, the race could be quickly decided if Harris’ dynamic early performance convinces potential challengers not to stand.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe, chairman of the prestigious Eurogroup of European Union finance ministers, was seen as Harris’ main rival.

But Donohoe, 49, recently touted as a potential head of the IMF, ruled himself out on Thursday while in Brussels, on the sidelines of a Eurogroup meeting.

‘I think it’s over. There is room for contenders to come forward until Monday, but with Donohoe out of the race it is difficult to imagine how anyone will oppose Harris,” said Paul Cunningham, a political reporter at public broadcaster RTE.

“It’s possible, but very unlikely.”

Before Varadkar’s departure, experts expected a general election to be held later this year instead of early 2025.

But the leaders of the other parties in the governing coalition – Fianna Fail’s Micheal Martin and the Green Party’s Eamon Ryan – both say they would prefer the government to serve a full five-year term.

Meanwhile, opposition parties are lining up to demand immediate general elections.

“Rather than limping along, and rather than passing the office of taoiseach again among each other, the right democratic route at this point is to go to the people,” Mary Lou McDonald, leader of the main opposition party, said. Sinn Fein.

“There must be a general election,” McDonald, whose left-wing nationalist party is currently leading in the polls, told RTE.