Member-only story

Leo: The Very Modern Taoiseach

Oscar Bell

·11k Followers· Follow

Published in Leo: A Very Modern Taoiseach

4 min read · 2 weeks before

808 View Claps

51 Respond

Save

Listen

Leo Varadkar's journey from doctor to Taoiseach has been one of the most remarkable in Irish politics. Born in Dublin in 1979, he is the son of an Indian doctor and an Irish nurse. He studied medicine at Trinity College Dublin and worked as a doctor in Ireland and the UK before entering politics.

Leo: A Very Modern Taoiseach

by Niall O'Connor

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	734 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	300 pages

Varadkar's political career began in 2007 when he was elected to Dublin City Council. He was elected to the Dáil in 2011 and served as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport from 2014 to 2016. In 2016, he was elected leader of the Fine Gael party and became Taoiseach in 2017.

Varadkar is the first openly gay Taoiseach and his election was a watershed moment for LGBT rights in Ireland. He has also been a vocal supporter of same-sex marriage and has introduced a number of progressive policies, including the of a universal basic income.

Varadkar's time as Taoiseach has been marked by a number of challenges, including the Brexit negotiations and the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he has also made significant progress on a number of issues, including housing, healthcare and climate change.

Varadkar is a complex and contradictory figure. He is a modernizer who has introduced a number of progressive policies, but he is also a pragmatist who is willing to compromise to get things done. He is a popular figure who has won two general elections, but he is also a divisive figure who has been criticized by some for his handling of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the challenges, Varadkar remains a popular figure in Irish politics. He is seen as a leader who is willing to take risks and who is not afraid to stand up for what he believes in. He is also seen as a pragmatic leader who is willing to compromise to get things done.

Varadkar's journey from doctor to Taoiseach is a remarkable one. He is a complex and contradictory figure, but he is also a popular and successful leader. He is a modernizer who has introduced a number of progressive policies, but he is also a pragmatist who is willing to compromise to get things done. He is a popular figure who has won two general elections, but he is also a divisive figure who has been criticized by some for his handling of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Leo: A Very Modern Taoiseach

by Niall O'Connor

4.6 out of 5