ieExplains: What happens now Varadkar has resigned? Will there be an election?
Shock Wednesday Resignation Varadkar Picture: Announced Collins His Leo On
Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader on Wednesday.
Here are some of the burning questions about what comes next.
Leo Varadkar’s surprise resignation means there has to be a new Fine Gael leader. In his speech, he indicated that the process to choose a successor will be a quick one.
“I have asked our Party General Secretary and Executive Council to provide for the new leader to be elected in advance of the Ard Fheis on Saturday, April 6,” he said.
In the coming days, we’ll see potential candidates put their name into the ring. If we have more than one – and it is likely we will – a vote will be held internally within Fine Gael to choose this successor within a few weeks.
It’ll be shortly after that. The Dáil, while sitting this week, is due to be suspended again for the Easter break.
If a new Fine Gael leader has been confirmed by that planned date of April 6, a new Taoiseach could be elected by the Dáil on Tuesday, April 9. A simple majority is required to pass that vote.
No. At least, not yet anyway. The opposition was straight out of the blocks calling for one.
But given that the next election has until next March to be called at the latest, it does give the coalition breathing space on what to do next.
Until that time, the Government can stay in place if the coalition has a majority in Dáil Éireann. Whoever becomes the next Fine Gael leader can take the helm of Taoiseach if Fianna Fáil and the Greens vote for them to become Taoiseach in the Dáil.
Tánaiste and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan have already come out to say they want this Government to go the distance.
Whether their parties will change their minds on this in the weeks to come remains to be seen. But, for now, this move from Leo Varadkar does not trigger a general election.
That’s anyone’s guess. As indicated, Government parties have said they want it to go the distance but word around Leinster House for some time now has pointed towards an autumn election.
If it lasts that long, it’ll give time for the new Fine Gael leader to bed in before heading to the electorate in a general election.
Having said that, this new leader will face the public at the polls in the Local and European elections slated for this coming June regardless of when the next general election is held.
Every political party has its own method for choosing a leader, and Fine Gael's is governed by its own constitution. The candidate has to be a member of the Dáil and must be nominated by at least 10% of the parliamentary party within seven days of the position becoming available.
When it comes to voting for the leader, different weights are attached to different groups. The parliamentary party - TDs and Senators - make up 65% of the vote. Normal party members around the country make up 25%, and local councillors make up 10%. Last time, Simon Coveney lost to Leo Varadkar despite proving more popular with party members due to how the votes are weighted.
There are usually hustings at a regional level for candidates to make their pitch to members, with TDs and Senators to vote at a special meeting on a date to be fixed by the Fine Gael executive council. It is expected further details on how this will be be run will be announced by Fine Gael shortly.