Politics

Leo Varadkar: 20 years in public life

Self-professed straight-talker will resign as taoiseach after over 20 years in political office

Varadkar, then a 20 year-old medical student, unsuccessfully contested the 1999 local elections before being co-opted to the council in 2003. Picture: Alan Kinsella, Irish Election Literature

After more than 20 years in political office, Leo Varadkar announced his resignation as Fine Gael leader and taoiseach this week, seven years after succeeding Enda Kenny in both roles.

While Varadkar will remain a TD for Dublin West until the next election, he is unlikely to put himself forward for election again, which would bring to an end a storied domestic political career.

‘Straight-talking’ medical student

A self-professed “straight-talker”, Varadkar’s political ambitions began when ...