'Hard landing for a high flyer': How the world reacted to Taoiseach's resignation

Simon Harris listens as Leo Varadkar speaks to the media. Picture:Gareth Chaney/Collins

Wednesday morning saw political turmoil in Ireland as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced his resignation on the steps of Government buildings.

One day on from the announcement, a clear front runner has emerged in the form of Higher Education Minister Simon Harris.

Mr Varadkar's announcement sent shockwaves across both Irish and international media. Here's how they reacted. 

The BBC mentioned the three elections — local, European, and general — which are coming in the next 12 months as a potential factor in Mr Varadkar's decision.

They said that the elections represented "challenges in the near future" for both Mr Varadkar and the Government.

The Times said that while Mr Varadkar was "ambitious", he had "squandered his popularity", noting that in his farewell speech, he referenced how he didn't feel he was the best person for the job anymore.

"The polls would suggest the public agreed," their analysis read.

Meanwhile, The Guardian said the Taoiseach had capped off a "legacy of firsts" with his shock resignation.

"Despite a glamorous image overseas, at home he was never hip and didn’t claim to be," the paper's analysis read.

It concluded that the Taoiseach faced a "bruising calendar and uncertain future, but no one expected him to be pushed — or to jump so abruptly."

'Bombshell'

Sky News carried the resignation speech live, cutting over their usual coverage of British prime minister Rishi Sunak taking questions from MPs, with political expert Beth Rigby saying it had been a "bombshell".

In an analysis piece by their Ireland correspondent Stephen Murphy, the broadcaster said that the referenda defeats had given Mr Varadkar and the Government a "black eye".

He also said the Taoiseach had "appeared below par" in recent public appearances.

That viewpoint was also shared by Der Spiegel in Germany which said that the results were a "serious personal defeat" for the Taoiseach. It added that he sounded and appeared very similar to former Scottish leader Nicola Sturgeon during his resignation speech.

The publication said that it was a "hard landing for a high flyer."

Across the pond, CNN said Mr Varadkar would likely be remembered for "his efforts to liberalise Ireland, easing the country’s strict anti-abortion laws."

However, it noted that prior to his resignation, he had been "grappling with several controversies," including the referenda defeats.

The analysis added: "He has also faced backlash over Ireland’s housing crisis and soaring immigration numbers, the most recent being criticism over his government’s treatment of a tent village of asylum-seekers who had camped outside government offices."

Hounded

The New York Times, meanwhile, noted that Mr Varadkar was "seen as crucial to winning major concessions from Britain" during Brexit negotiations.

The publication also said the rise of Sinn Féin's popularity was "damaging to the longstanding dominance" of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Finally, in an analysis of the announcement, The Australian said that Fine Gael had been "hounded by accusations that his Fine Gael government failed on housing, homelessness and health."

It said that the "harsh political reality" brought down Mr Varadkar, who they called a "zeitgeist."