Fine Gael

Ireland's European parliament elections finally concluded early Friday with all 14 seats filled after a marathon five-day count — the longest in the 27-member bloc.

The governing centre-right parties Fine Gael, led by Taoiseach (prime minister) Simon Harris, and Fianna Fail led by deputy premier Micheal Martin won four seats each.

In a historic turn of events, Simon Harris has been appointed as Ireland's youngest-ever prime minister, following a parliamentary vote on Monday. The 37-year-old politician, known for his leadership during the early stages of Ireland's response to the Covid-19 pandemic, takes the helm after the unexpected resignation of former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar.

Irish left-wing nationalists Sinn Fein demanded a place in Ireland's next government on Feb. 25 at a packed rally in Dublin, saying the country's two dominant centre-right parties were trying block voters' demand for change.

Unlike Greece, Ireland had its civil war immediately after the war of independence in 1922. The cause was the peace treaty between Britain and Ireland which agreed on the partition of the island, with six counties (Ulster) remaining in the UK and 26 becoming, eventually, the Republic of Ireland.

Leo Varadkar, the right-wing son of an immigrant Indian doctor, has been formally elected Ireland’s youngest and first gay Taoiseach.
Accepting his elevation to the most powerful office in the country, the 38-year-old said: “I’ve been elected to lead but I promise to serve.”

Ireland waited for the final results on Feb. 28 of an election that has left the eurozone country in limbo, ejecting Prime Minister Enda Kenny's governing coalition but offering no clear alternative.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny on Oct. 11 said he did not intend to call a parliamentary election in Ireland before early next year, seeking to halt widespread speculation that he would call a snap vote next month.