Ireland's new, openly gay prime minister formally takes power
Ireland's new Prime Minister Leo Varadkar waves after being elected Ireland's 14th Taoiseach (Prime Minister). Varadkar is openly gay. AP Photo, Peter Morrison.
(AP) — Leo Varadkar took office Wednesday as Ireland's youngest Taoiseach, or prime minister. The son of an Indian immigrant, he is the first openly gay politician to serve in that post.
"I've been elected to lead but I promise to serve," the 38-year-old said.
Varadkar, a doctor who has held three previous Cabinet posts, defeated rival Simon Coveney in a contest to replace Enda Kenny, who resigned.
Coveney won the votes of a majority of party members, but Varadkar was backed by most lawmakers and local representatives to give him victory under the center-right Fine Gael party's electoral college system.
Copyright 2017 Associated Press. All rights reserved.
The Gayly – June 15, 2017 @ 11:40 a.m.