Ireland set for gay PM

DUBLIN: Ireland looks set to have its first openly gay prime minister after the governing Fine Gael party elected Leo Varadkar leader, a further sign of change in the once deeply conservative country.

The 38-year-old son of an Indian doctor, who will replace Enda Kenny, will also be Ireland’s youngest-ever premier, assuming his nomination is confirmed as expected by parliament on June 12.

His victory marks a watershed moment in Ireland, a once overwhelmingly Catholic and socially conservative country, with the Irish Times calling it a “new dawn”.

In his acceptance speech, Varadkar ( pictured) said he was “delighted and humbled” at his win, secured with strong backing from parliamentarians, although a majority of ordinary party members backed his rival Simon Coveney.

“I think if my election as leader of Fine Gael today has shown anything, it is that prejudice has no hold in this Republic,” he said, to applause and cheering at Dublin’s Mansion House.

“I know when my father travelled 5000 miles to make his home in Ireland, I doubt he ever dreamed that his son would one day grow up to be its leader.

“That despite his differences, his son would be treated the same and judged by his actions and character not his origins or identity.”

Varadkar campaigned on same-sex marriage and liberalising abortion laws, although like the majority of his party colleagues, he is an advocate of tight fiscal restraint.