Simon Harris Makes History as Ireland's Youngest Prime Minister

Simon Harris, at 37 years old, has made history by becoming the youngest prime minister of Ireland. He officially assumed office in Dublin on Tuesday following Leo Varadkar's unexpected resignation last month.

Harris ran uncontested to succeed Varadkar as the leader of the ruling Fine Gael party. The final steps of his ascension to power were carried out in the Dáil, Ireland's parliament.

He has held various government positions since his late 20s, most recently as the minister for higher education and science.

However, Harris is now facing a tough political test with an upcoming general election in Ireland by late March 2025. Fine Gael is currently behind in opinion polls to Sinn Fein, the Irish republican group that was previously associated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA).

Varadkar spearheaded efforts to reform certain socially conservative laws in Ireland, particularly those related to abortion restrictions. However, his administration encountered criticism for its handling of the housing crisis and the increasing levels of immigration in the country.

Harris, the new leader of Fine Gael, has shown admiration for his predecessor during his coronation. However, his journey to the top of Irish politics sets him apart from those who came before him.

Born in eastern Ireland to a taxi driver, Harris originally pursued journalism and French at a Dublin university. However, he decided to shift his focus to politics after his brother was diagnosed with autism. Witnessing his family's struggle to access special needs services fueled Harris's early political aspirations.

Reflecting on this pivotal moment, Harris explained to Irish magazine Hot Press in 2022, "Seeing the challenges my parents faced, I organized a public meeting in my hometown. This experience at a young age led me to become more involved in politics."

Harris ran unopposed in a quick election to replace Varadkar.

Harris ran unopposed in a quick election to replace Varadkar.

Simon Harris quickly rose from being a councillor to a member of the Dail in a short span of time. His youth has always been a defining aspect of his political persona. In 2018, during a protest against abortion, some campaigners held up banners with the message "I fancy Simon Harris." Six years prior, he gained attention for casually telling committee members to "chillax." Harris later expressed surprise at the media frenzy, tweeting, "Didn't realise chillax was such a big deal... was just fed up!"

In recent months, Harris has gained nearly 100,000 followers on the social media app TikTok. According to Irish Times Political Correspondent Jennifer Bray, this strategy could become more important as an election approaches. The hope is that he can connect with younger voters who feel disconnected from politics.

Harris became the health minister in 2016, marking a significant leap in his career within Fine Gael. He was considered a potential candidate for leadership in the party as early as the next year, when Enda Kenny stepped down. However, at the age of 30, Harris felt he lacked the necessary experience and chose not to put himself forward.

Women celebrate the result of yesterday's referendum on liberalizing abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Women celebrate the result of yesterday's referendum on liberalizing abortion law, in Dublin, Ireland, May 26, 2018. REUTERS/Max Rossi

Max Rossi/Reuters

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Five years after Ireland’s groundbreaking abortion referendum, access to care remains inconsistent.

As health minister, Harris played a key role in Ireland’s decision to legalize abortion. He praised the decision as a step towards ending isolation, eradicating stigma, and empowering women to make choices within their own country.

Harris also led Ireland’s initial response to the pandemic before transitioning to a new role in mid-2020. This change proved beneficial, sparing the well-liked politician from the complexities of guiding Ireland through the challenges of the Covid crisis.

During his time in the department, there were some controversies. In 2018, a scandal arose when it was discovered that over 200 women were given incorrect smear tests for cervical cancer by the Irish health service. Harris admitted that he had made mistakes in handling the scandal, acknowledging that there were lessons to be learned and that everyone involved had a responsibility.

Despite the controversies, Harris continued to serve as minister for further and higher education, research, innovation, and science. His political career saw a rapid rise, culminating in his appointment as party leader.

“I know, in many ways, my career has been a bit odd,” he told Hot Press in 2022. “Life came at me a lot faster than I expected it to.”

A host of challenges

Harris quickly rose to the top, but his time in power might not last long.

"I know I'm stepping into office during a challenging time, but there's a lot on the agenda," he acknowledged during his party's recent gathering. Varadkar's government lost some of its shine during his second term as taoiseach; Harris now takes the reins of a governing coalition that is struggling to regain power.

Ireland is currently facing a housing crisis, which is particularly affecting younger voters that Harris is eager to appeal to. This, along with the high cost of living and worries about immigration, has led to a decrease in public support for the two main political parties that have controlled Irish politics for the past hundred years.

Instead, Sinn Fein has seen a significant increase in popularity. This left-wing, Irish nationalist party has been successful in recent elections in Northern Ireland and is currently ahead in polls in the southern part of the country.

exp Northern Ireland Sinn Fein Michelle Oneill ITN pkg 020403ASEG3_00002701.png

exp Northern Ireland Sinn Fein Michelle Oneill ITN pkg 020403ASEG3_00002701.png

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Northern Ireland has sworn in Michelle O’Neill as First Minister. Sinn Fein, once thought to be the political arm of the IRA, which fought to end British rule and unite Ireland, has now rebranded itself as a left-wing party advocating for social issues on both sides of the border.

The prominent political bloc on the island of Ireland has sparked talks about a potential border poll for reunification, but this remains a distant possibility. After being elected as Fine Gael leader, Harris mentioned to Sky News that reunification is a valid goal. However, he emphasized that his current focus is not on this issue.

CNN’s Sophie Tanno contributed reporting

Editor's P/S:

Simon Harris's historic rise to Ireland's youngest prime minister is a testament to his political acumen and determination. His humble beginnings and personal experiences have shaped his political aspirations, particularly his advocacy for special needs services. Despite his relative inexperience at 37, Harris's fresh perspective and connection with younger voters could potentially revitalize Fine Gael and address the challenges facing Ireland.

However, Harris faces an uphill battle in the upcoming general election, with Sinn Fein's growing popularity and the party's struggles to regain public support. The housing crisis, high cost of living, and immigration concerns have eroded trust in the traditional political establishment. Harris's ability to navigate these complex issues and connect with the electorate will be crucial in determining his political longevity.