Simon Harris is set to replace Leo Varadkar as Prime Minister of Ireland.
Simon Harris has been confirmed as the new leader of Ireland's Fine Gael party, paving the way for the 37-year-old to become Ireland's youngest Taoiseach.
Harris, an Irish government minister, was the only candidate seeking a seat in the party's leadership.
He said becoming leader would be “the honor of my life to lead this great party, our great party, Fine Gael”.
He thanked the party and the people who elected him because they believed in him, adding, “I will repay that trust with my efforts.''
“With blood, sweat and tears in our hearts, we must be responsible, humble and respectful day in and day out,” he added.
Mr Harris is not expected to make a final decision on his cabinet until the Dáil (Irish Parliament) reconvenes on April 9.
Nominations for the Fine Gael leadership closed at 1pm local time on Sunday.
He was the only candidate for the position at the time nominations closed.
What did Simon Harris say after becoming leader?
Mr Harris, Ireland's minister for further and higher education, was firmly catapulted into the top job after other ministers who were seen as potential competitors had ruled themselves out.
He was an early favorite, with many supporting him even before nominations began.
Ministers Helen McEntee, Pascal Donohoe and Heather Humphreys were among those who expressed support for Mr Harris.
“Challenges never go away, they just change,” Harris said Sunday, speaking at the party's convention after her leadership was confirmed.
“But they can always be met if we hold fast to the fundamental values that have contributed to this country: hope, enterprise, equality of opportunity, integrity and security.”
He said these values mean “everything” to him.
“I believe in the power of public service and politics to bring about change and make people's lives better,” he said.
Simon Harris, accompanied by his father Bert, hugs his mother Mary after he was announced as leader of Fine Gael.
Simon Harris thanked his family and paid tribute to his parents, wife Caoimhe and children Saoirse and Killian.
“My mother often told us that success is about loving what you do.
“My parents gave up a lot and worked hard for us, so I'm grateful for that today,” he said.
Why was the leadership contest held?
He cited “personal and political reasons” for his resignation and said he was “no longer qualified for this position.”
Mr Varadkar's resignation has paved the way for a leadership contest, but he leads the current coalition government with Fianna Fáil and the Dublin Green Party, and his successor is expected to take over as leader as well.
Who is Simon Harris?
image source, Getty Images/NurPhoto
Simon Harris has served as a minister in the Irish Cabinet for the past eight years.
At 37, Harris will make history as Ireland's youngest manager, taking over the top job one year younger than his predecessor in 2017.
He first joined the Dáil over 10 years ago, aged 24, as a TD for Wicklow.
Harris rose quickly through the party ranks and was appointed to her first cabinet post five years later, in 2016, as health minister.
He also oversaw the initial response to the coronavirus pandemic until he was replaced by a new coalition government in 2020.
He subsequently served as Minister of Advancement, Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and briefly as Minister of Justice.
