Simon Harris poised to become Ireland’s youngest prime minister

The youngest prime minister to be in Ireland, the 37-year-old is expected to boost his party’s popularity on social media by showcasing his youthful energy and skill

With elections coming up in Ireland, Simon Harris, who is expected to become the youngest prime minister in Ireland, is well-positioned to boost his party’s popularity on social media by showcasing his youthful energy and skill.

The 37-year-old, nicknamed the “TikTok Taoiseach” by the media, breaks the record set by his predecessor Leo Varadkar by one year, signaling a generational change in Fine Gael party leadership.

Harris quickly joined the leadership contest after Varadkar abruptly resigned. By Thursday afternoon, he had secured the majority support of his party’s members, thereby eliminating rivals and paving the way for his confirmation as premier on Sunday.

Harris pledged to lead with thoroughness in his victory address, focusing on issues of law and order, a more sustainable immigration policy, and a firm opposition to populism. From his modest origins in Greystones, near Dublin, where he supported autistic services for his brother before starting a political career, his route to leadership represents a swift ascension.

Early involvement and quick rise within Fine Gael marked Harris’s political career, which culminated in his 29-year-old nomination as health minister. Although Harris has been under fire throughout his time in office, most notably for the way the government handled the COVID-19 pandemic, his skillful communication and active social media presence have attracted a lot of attention.

Harris, a father of two and husband to a cardiac nurse, has become well-known because of his astute use of apps like TikTok, where millions of users frequently interact with his material. Critics have called him “Leo 2.0,” accusing him of being disengaged from more general political issues, although his attempts to appeal to younger voters have also drawn criticism.

However, many who back Harris see his enthusiasm and drive as something that might spark Fine Gael’s comeback in the polls, making him a strong candidate for the next local and European Parliament elections as well as perhaps a general election.

As Harris gets ready to take office on April 9, his leadership represents a change in the political environment toward one that is more technologically savvy, where young appeal and social media skills become more important factors in influencing public opinion and political conversation.

Source:AFP