Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
International

Indian-Origin Leo Varadkar Wins: Ireland Set To Install First Openly Gay Prime Minister

Darpan News Desk IANS, 02 Jun, 2017 11:12 AM

    The son of an Indian immigrant who came out as gay in 2015 will be the next Irish prime minister, after he was voted leader of the country’s main governing party.

     

    Mr Leo Varadkar beat his rival, Housing Minister Simon Coveney, with 60% of the votes. He will become Ireland's first gay taoiseach (prime minister).

     

    He is expected to take over from former Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, in the next few weeks.

     

    At 38, he will also be Ireland's youngest ever prime minister.

     

    Following the announcement on Friday evening, Mr Varadkar said he was "honoured" to accept the "enormous challenge" ahead of him with humility.

     
     

    "If my election shows anything it's that prejudice has no hold in this Republic," he said.

     

    "When my father travelled 5,000 miles to build a new home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed his son would grow up to be its leader." He said Simon Coveney had gained his and the party's admiration for his "principled and spirited" campaign and he looked forward to working with him to bring Fine Gael and Ireland forward.

     

    "Let that be our mission, to build a Republic of opportunity," he said.

     

    Mr Varadkar, who came out as gay in the run up to the 2015 same-sex marriage referendum, has been in charge of the welfare system.

     

    As well as becoming Ireland’s first gay prime minister, Varadkar, 38, will also become the country’s youngest leader, and the first from an ethnic minority background. His position will be confirmed later this month when parliament resumes after a break.

    MORE International ARTICLES

    German Court Denies Mother Access To Dead Daughter's Facebook Data

    German Court Denies Mother Access To Dead Daughter's Facebook Data
    BERLIN — A Berlin court has denied a mother access to her deceased daughter's Facebook data, ruling German privacy laws outweigh her parental rights.

    German Court Denies Mother Access To Dead Daughter's Facebook Data

    Islamic State Burns Its Archives In Mosul

    Islamic State militants have begun torching their archives in their besieged bastion of Mosul's Old City, where Iraqi forces have launched a major offensive to route the jihadists by June 10, media reports said on Tuesday.

    Islamic State Burns Its Archives In Mosul

    Pakistan Army Is Puppet In Hands Of JuD, Says Chief Of Terror Organisation Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki

    Pakistan Army Is Puppet In Hands Of JuD, Says Chief Of Terror Organisation Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki
    Hafiz Saeed's brother-in-law Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki was given the charge of the head of Jamaat-ud-Dawah in March this year.

    Pakistan Army Is Puppet In Hands Of JuD, Says Chief Of Terror Organisation Hafiz Abdul Rehman Makki

    Trudeau Says Pope Appeared 'Open' To Idea Of A Residential Schools Apology

    Trudeau Says Pope Appeared 'Open' To Idea Of A Residential Schools Apology
    Canadians want to press ahead with reconciliation in the wake of the residential school era, Justin Trudeau said Monday as he described his efforts to encourage Pope Francis to apologize for the Catholic Church's role in the tragedy.

    Trudeau Says Pope Appeared 'Open' To Idea Of A Residential Schools Apology

    Canadian Woman, 38, Injured In Times Square Car Crash Still In Coma: Family Member

    Canadian Woman, 38, Injured In Times Square Car Crash Still In Coma: Family Member
      Elena Avetisian, 38, is still in a coma after suffering serious head wounds and a broken pelvis, her cousin Anna Avetisian told the Canadian Press.

    Canadian Woman, 38, Injured In Times Square Car Crash Still In Coma: Family Member

    Tiger Woods, Former World No.1 Golfer, Arrested For Drink Driving

    Tiger Woods, Former World No.1 Golfer, Arrested For Drink Driving
    Former world number one golfer Tiger Woods was arrested in South Florida on Monday morning on a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, according to media reports.

    Tiger Woods, Former World No.1 Golfer, Arrested For Drink Driving