Close X
Friday, November 29, 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

    China Bans Muslim Names Like 'Saddam', 'Jihad' For Newborns In Restive Xinjiang

    China Bans Muslim Names Like 'Saddam', 'Jihad' For Newborns In Restive Xinjiang
    On April 1, the authorities in Xinjiang had also imposed new rules banning "abnormal" beards or a full veil

    China Bans Muslim Names Like 'Saddam', 'Jihad' For Newborns In Restive Xinjiang

    New Video Of Militants In Kashmir Does Rounds On Social Media

    New Video Of Militants In Kashmir Does Rounds On Social Media
    A new video of at least 30 militants in army fatigues brandishing assault rifles at an unknown location in the Kashmir Valley is doing the rounds on social media.

    New Video Of Militants In Kashmir Does Rounds On Social Media

    Indian-American Doctors' Body Shocked Over Murthy's Sacking

    Indian-American Doctors' Body Shocked Over Murthy's Sacking
    A top body of Indian-American doctors has expressed shock and disappointment over the Trump administration's dismissal of physician Vivek Murthy as the US Surgeon General.

    Indian-American Doctors' Body Shocked Over Murthy's Sacking

    Canadian Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Export Fentanyl Into U.S.

    Canadian Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Export Fentanyl Into U.S.
    A Canadian man has pleaded guilty to attempting to export fentanyl products and other synthetic drugs from China into the United States.

    Canadian Man Pleads Guilty To Attempting To Export Fentanyl Into U.S.

    Donald Trump Takes First Swing In Lumber War: Tariff Of 20 Per Cent On Canadian Lumber

    Donald Trump Takes First Swing In Lumber War: Tariff Of 20 Per Cent On Canadian Lumber
    The United States has fired the opening shot in a latest softwood-lumber war against Canada, with the Trump administration announcing its first batch of duties on imported wood in the neighbourhood of 20 per cent.

    Donald Trump Takes First Swing In Lumber War: Tariff Of 20 Per Cent On Canadian Lumber

    Indian Michelin-Star Chef Vikas Khanna Is Among The Top 10 Chefs In The World

    Indian Michelin-Star Chef Vikas Khanna Is Among The Top 10 Chefs In The World
    With Gordon Ramsay leading Gazette Review's list, Khanna ranks sixth, ahead of well-known chefs like Anthony Bourdain and Alain Ducasse.

    Indian Michelin-Star Chef Vikas Khanna Is Among The Top 10 Chefs In The World