Leo joins Trump in Time’s ‘100 most influential’ list
LEO Varadkar is among Donald Trump, Kim Jung-un, Meghan Markle and Oprah Winfrey in ‘Time’ magazine’s most influential people for 2018.
The Taoiseach made the top 100, which includes major world figures from politics, sports, film and social society. The magazine says the list is not merely a measure of power but is a “designation of individuals whose time, in our estimation, is now”.
“As our staff considers candidates, we often find ourselves wowed by those with stunning lifetime achievements. But editorial director Dan Macsai, maestro of the ‘Time’ 100, brings us back to the key question: Was this their year?” the magazine says.
‘Sunday Independent’ political correspondent Philip Ryan wrote the short extract which will explain to ‘Time’ readers why Mr Varadkar has made the cut. It notes Ireland only decriminalised homosexuality in 1993 but 25 years later the country “is a very different place – symbolised by the rise of its new leader”.
“The openly gay son of an Indian immigrant, Varadkar decided to come out publicly in the run-up to the world’s first marriage-equality referendum.
“Today the once anti-abortion politician is campaigning to significantly liberalise the country’s abortion laws,” the citation says.
“He also faces a major housing and homelessness crisis. The country’s youngest-ever Taoiseach will be judged on how he guides his nation through these challenges.”
Nicole Kidman, Hugh Jackman, Rihanna, Prince Harry and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau are also listed.