DUBLIN (Reuters) – Simon Harris has become Ireland’s youngest ever prime minister, succeeding his party colleague Leo Varadkar, with less than a year to try to stop the left-wing Sinn Fein party’s first election victory.
The 37-year-old former health and higher education minister, best known for his handling of the country’s situation during the Covid-19 pandemic, was elected unopposed as Fine Gael’s new leader last month, just days after leaving Varadkar’s improvisation.
He is the 16th person to lead Ireland and has won the confidence of Parliament thanks to the support of some independent MPs, as well as his coalition partners, Fianna Fail and the Green Party.
Harris will face structural problems such as a severe shortage of affordable housing and distress over record numbers of asylum seekers. Furthermore, he will have to manage a coalition agreement that leaves little room for major new political initiatives. He is also expected to announce a reshuffle.
Harris, who left university at 20 to work as a political assistant, was elected to parliament at 24 and made a minister before he turned 30.
He said he would strive to solve the housing crisis “once and for all” – something his predecessors also promised – by proposing an extension of support for builders and first home buyers, while recognizing that the growth in supply needed will take years.
(Translated by Laura Contemori, editing Francesca Piscioneri)
