Leo Varadkar announces he will not stand in next election

Leo Varadkar has announced he will not stand in the next general election.

He joins a long-list of Fine Gael TDs who will not be contesting the next election, becoming the 14th party member to announce their departure.

He told a meeting of the Fine Gael Dublin West Constituency Organisation this evening that he wants to give potential nominees sufficient time to prepare for the constituency selection convention in September.

The 45-year-old former taoiseach said he was not seeking nomination as the “time has come” for him to “explore new options and opportunities”.

In a statement this evening, he said: “I have never seen myself as a career politician and I am keen to see how I can make my contribution to society in other ways.

“I shall, of course, complete my term in Dáil and will continue to be a full time TD until it is dissolved.

“I am making this decision at a time when the Fine Gael party is in good shape.”

Mr Varadkar first became Taoiseach at age 38 in 2017 and returned to the role in 2022.

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He was first elected a TD in 2007 and was appointed to several ministerial portfolios during his career in politics including transport, health, social protection and enterprise.

In 2004 he recorded the highest vote in the local elections winning nearly 5,000 votes.

In March, Mr Varadkar announced he was stepping down as taoiseach and Fine Gael leader.

He formally tendered his resignation to President Michael D Higgins in April, with Simon Harris elected taoiseach the fhe following day.

Mr Varadkar said this evening: “We have a new leader, a fresh ministerial team, professional and capable staff in Headquarters and the Oireachtas.

“The party is well-funded, well organised and has had a successful Local and European Elections. We are also in good shape here is Dublin West.”

In mid-September, Fine Gael will select an election candidate or candidates for Mr Varadkar’s constituency of Dublin West.

He expressed confidence that the party can hold its seat in Dublin West and Fine Gael can secure an historic fourth term in Government.

He said that Senator Emer Currie and himself would open a new constituency office Blanchardstown in the next few weeks.

Mr Varadkar said: “I believe every retiring TD has a responsibility to do all they can to ensure their seat is held by the party and with this mind, Senator Emer Currie and I are coming together to provide an enhanced constituency service and a new constituency office in Main Street Blanchardstown which will open in the next few weeks.”

Mr Varadkar said representing Dublin West had been the “privilege of my life”.

“Finally, I want to offer my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the tens of thousands of people in Dublin West who trusted me with their vote and gave me the opportunity to serve,” he added.

Read more:
Leo Varadkar steps down as Taoiseach and FG leader
Profile of Leo Varadkar

Last week, Simon Coveney announced he would not be contesting the next general election.

He said it was time to step out of politics and seek new horizons.

Long-serving TD Richard Bruton announced he would not contest the next election last September.

Fergus O’Dowd in Louth, Brendan Griffin in Kerry, Charlie Flanagan in Laois-Offaly, Joe McHugh in Donegal, Michael Creed in Cork North West, David Stanton in Cork East, and John Paul Phelan in Carlow-Kilkenny are among other Fine Gael politicians not contesting the next election.