Simon Harris is poised to become Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach as he emerges as the leading candidate to head the Fine Gael party following Leo Varadkar’s unexpected resignation. At 37, Harris’s rise has become more apparent as senior party figures such as Paschal Donohoe, Helen McEntee, Heather Humphreys, and Simon Coveney have opted not to contest the leadership position, effectively making Harris the unchallenged contender for the role.

This development occurs amidst a notable political shift triggered by Varadkar’s departure, with Harris now tasked with leading both the party and the country into a future marked by the challenges left in the wake of Brexit and the consequent alterations to the Irish political landscape. During his tenure, Varadkar focused on ensuring no hard border emerged on the island of Ireland post-Brexit, and his resignation speech highlighted the achievements in Northern Irish politics, namely the restoration of the Stormont executive.

As Harris gears up to likely take leadership on April 9, the political scene he inherits is fraught with post-Brexit challenges. These include managing the implications for trade, regulatory borders, and the continued application of the Northern Ireland Protocol, which have already guided a noticeable shift in Northern Irish politics and sparked tensions within the Stormont Assembly.

In addition to handling these delicate matters, Harris will be focused on rejuvenating Fine Gael ahead of crucial upcoming elections, with local and European polls scheduled for June 7, and a general election by March 2025. With Harris at the helm, and despite tough opposition from other parties, such as Sinn Féin, the Fine Gael party looks towards a period of adjustment and potential renewal under its likely new leader, aiming to navigate the challenges of a post-Brexit Ireland and the complexities of its political agreements while maintaining stability and forwarding progress.