IRELAND PM VARADKAR FACES STIFF CHALLENGE IN ELECTION
LONDON: Leo Varadkar, the prime minister of Ireland, is facing a stiff challenge in Saturday’s election, with his party finishing third in opinion polls. Varadkar, 41, leads the centre-right Fine Gael Party. According to the latest Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI poll, support for the Fine Gael was at 20%, the third position behind left-wing nationalists Sinn Fein at 25% and Fianna Fail - the Republican Party - at 23. The Sinn Fein shares power in neighbouring Northern Ireland.