~theguardian-world | Bookmarks (6)

Dublin politician says he is looking forward to a ‘different chapter’ after tendering resignation to presidentLeo Varadkar has said he has “no regrets” about standing down, as he officially resigned as Ireland’s taoiseach.The Dublin politician, who has been the country’s prime minister for four years, said he was looking forward to a “different chapter”. Continue reading...

Higher education minister will become taoiseach in April after shock resignation of Leo VaradkarSimon Harris will become Ireland’s youngest prime minister after the leadership race in his Fine Gael party ended without any other candidates coming forward.The leadership became vacant after the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, announced his surprise resignation “for personal and political reasons” last week. Continue reading...

Nearly half of Fine Gael parliamentary party endorses 37-year-old as string of potential rivals rule themselves outThe contest to become Ireland’s next prime minister is turning into a one-horse race after the higher education minister, Simon Harris, secured the backing of nearly half his parliamentary party before he had even confirmed he was running.Within hours of nominations opening on Thursday to succeed Leo Varadkar,...

Rejection of proposed changes to constitution represent stunning defeat for government and country’s entire political establishmentIrish voters overwhelmingly reject proposed changes to constitutionProposals to reword Ireland’s 1937 constitution to get rid of outdated language about the role of women and the nature of the family have been comprehensively rejected in a double referendum.All the major political parties had supported a “Yes-Yes” vote, and the...

What appeared to be relatively low-stakes amendments could turn into embarrassing defeat for governmentWhen the Irish government announced it would hold two referendums on International Women’s Day it billed the votes as opportunities to embed inclusivity and equality in a constitution dating from 1937.Voters will on Friday be asked to delete article 41.2, the so-called “women in the home” provision, and enshrine two proposed...

Changes to language about ‘women in the home’ and definition of a family will be put to referendum on FridayIreland will be taking a “step backwards” this week if it votes against two changes to the constitution that are designed to remove “old-fashioned” language about women and formally recognise families beyond those involving marriage, the taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has said.In a double referendum on...