Simon Harris is set to announce his candidacy to replace Leo Varadkar this morning. The Higher Education Minister is the frontrunner to succeed the outgoing Taoiseach. With no sentimentality in politics the race to replace Leo Varadkar officially opens at 10am.
Simon Harris is the front runner to succeed him. His main competition is seen to be Paschal Donohoe who hasn't revealed his intentions. Or, could we see our first female leader and taoiseach in Heather Humphreys or Helen McEntee. Simon Coveney has already ruled himself out.
Candidates need the backing of at least six members of the Fine Gael parliamentary party. All members will then vote for their favourite with results due April 5th. After that, and if everything goes to plan, the new Fine Gael leader will become taoiseach the next time the Dáil sits."
