The son of an Indian immigrant, Leo Varadkar, will become Ireland’s new prime minister after being elected Fine Gael's new leader on Friday, APA reports quoting Anadolu Agency.
Varadkar, who will become the first Irish premiere from an ethnic background, became the next leader of the coalition government’s main party and will take over from outgoing prime minister Enda Kenny.
Varadkar’s father came to Ireland from Mumbai and met his Irish mother Miriam in the 1960s.
The 38-year old Varadkar will also become Catholic-majority Ireland’s first openly gay prime minister. Varadkar shared his sexual orientation with the public before a 2015 referendum on gay marriages in the country.
Speaking after the result was announced, Varadkar said he was delighted, humbled and honoured to win.
Varadkar won the race to leadership after getting 60 percent of the vote against Home Minister Simon Coveney.
Enda Kenny had announced a few weeks ago that he was stepping down as the leader of Fine Gael, but that he would remain as a party leader in acting capacity until his successor was elected.
The 66-year old leader was elected Fine Gael's chairman in 2002 and appointed prime minister in 2011.
