Simon Harris Makes History as Ireland’s Youngest-Ever Leader
Simon Harris, at the age of 37, has become the youngest-ever prime minister of Ireland, taking office in Dublin on Tuesday after Leo Varadkar’s sudden resignation last month. Harris, who ran unopposed to replace Varadkar as leader of the ruling Fine Gael party, has held various government positions since his late 20s and most recently served as the minister for higher education and science. However, he faces a challenging political landscape as Fine Gael trails in opinion polls to the Irish republican group Sinn Fein.
Varadkar’s government faced backlash over Ireland’s housing crisis and soaring immigration numbers, despite his efforts to liberalize some of the country’s socially conservative laws. In his first speech after being elected, Harris condemned Israel for its conduct in Gaza, emerging as one of the West’s most forceful critics of Israel.
Harris’s path to the top of Irish politics has been unique. Born in eastern Ireland to a taxi driver, he dropped out of university to focus on politics after his brother’s autism diagnosis and the subsequent struggle to access special needs services. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a councillor and then a member of the Dail in just a few years. Throughout his career, his youth has been a defining characteristic, with anti-abortion campaigners even holding up banners expressing their admiration for him.
In recent months, Harris has embraced the social media app TikTok, amassing nearly 100,000 followers. This strategy could play a significant role as an election approaches, as he aims to appeal to younger voters. His prominence as health minister during Ireland’s vote to legalize abortion and his handling of the initial response to the pandemic have solidified his position as one of Fine Gael’s rising stars.
However, Harris’s time in the health department was not without controversy. A scandal erupted in 2018 when it was discovered that the Irish health service had provided incorrect smear tests for cervical cancer to over 200 women. Harris acknowledged his mistakes in handling the scandal and took responsibility for the episode.
While Harris’s rise to power has been swift, his tenure as prime minister may be brief. He inherits a governing coalition that faces a difficult fight to return to office, with a housing crisis and concerns over immigration diminishing public support for the traditional parties. In their place, Sinn Fein has surged in popularity, leading in polls and winning recent elections in both Northern Ireland and the south. This resurgence has sparked discussions about the reunification of Ireland, although Harris believes the focus should be on other priorities for now.
As Ireland’s youngest-ever leader, Simon Harris faces numerous challenges ahead. His ability to address the housing crisis, appeal to younger voters, and navigate the changing political landscape will determine his success in leading Fine Gael and the country. Only time will tell if this rising political star can guide Ireland towards a brighter future.
