In a historic moment for Ireland, Simon Harris, the 37-year-old former health and higher education minister, was elected as the country’s youngest ever prime minister on Tuesday. Simon Harris, who is best known for steering the country’s initial response to COVID-19, succeeded his party colleague Leo Varadkar, marking a new era in Irish politics.
Simon Harris’s political journey has been nothing short of remarkable. He quit university at the age of 20 to work as a political aide and was elected to parliament at just 24. Before turning 30, he was appointed to the cabinet, demonstrating his rapid ascent in the political arena. His election as the new leader of Fine Gael last month, following Varadkar’s shock exit, all but assured his position as the 16th person to lead the country of 5.3 million.
Celebration in the sunshine with our new Taoiseach Simon Harris!
Wonderful day for his family!#Historic #Taoiseach pic.twitter.com/PTje1Zaz5Z
— Senator Aisling Dolan (@AislingDSenator) April 9, 2024
As the new prime minister, Simon Harris faces the same deep-rooted problems that led to Fine Gael’s stagnation under Varadkar. Most notably, he inherits a severe shortage of affordable housing and unease at record numbers of asylum seekers. These issues, coupled with a coalition agreement that leaves little room for major new policy initiatives, present significant challenges for his administration.
In a speech at Saturday’s Fine Gael annual conference, Simon Harris outlined his focus on law and order, helping small businesses, and reconnecting with rural voters. He also pledged to fix the housing crisis “once and for all,” proposing an extension to support for developers and first-time buyers. However, he acknowledged that the required boost to supply would take years.
Recent data showed that asking prices for Irish homes rose by 6.5% year-on-year in the first quarter, the fastest rate of growth since 2022. An opinion poll on Sunday confirmed that housing remains voters’ top concern. The same poll showed a drop in support for Sinn Féin from highs of 12-18 months ago, with independent candidates rather than the government parties being the main beneficiaries.
Simon Harris’s election as Ireland’s youngest prime minister marks a significant moment in the country’s political history. His leadership will be defined by how effectively he addresses the deep-rooted issues facing the nation. As he embarks on this journey, the hopes and aspirations of 5.3 million people rest on his shoulders.
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