Ireland's Varadkar unexpectedly quits as PM

Ireland's Prime Minister (Taoiseach) Leo Varadkar holds a press conference in Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast, Northern Ireland, February 5, 2024. REUTERS/Carrie Davenport/File Photo

DUBLIN (Reuters) -Leo Varadkar said on Wednesday he would step down as Ireland's prime minister and the leader of the governing Fine Gael party, in a surprise move which he said was for both personal and political reasons.

"I am resigning as president and leader of Fine Gael effective today and will resign as the Taoiseach (prime minister) as soon as my successor is able to take up that office," Varadkar told reporters gathered outside government buildings in Dublin.