By Jonathan McCambridge, PA
Simon Harris is set to become the new leader of Fine Gael when nominations close later on Sunday.
It paves the way for Mr Harris, the further and higher education minister, to become Ireland’s youngest Taoiseach following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar.
Mr Harris announced his candidature on Thursday night following a series of endorsements from within the Fine Gael parliamentary party and after a number of senior colleagues said they did not intend to stand for the leadership.
A shortened leadership contest will see him announced as leader in Athlone on Sunday afternoon if, as expected, no other candidates enter the contest before nominations close at 1pm.
Mr Harris would then be expected to be formally elected as Taoiseach in the Dáil in April following the Easter recess.
He would become the country’s youngest Taoiseach at the age of 37.
Mr Harris said that if elected the next leader, he would remain fully committed to the programme for government agreed with coalition partners Fianna Fáil and the Green Party.
He has stopped short of ruling out a general election this year but insisted such a poll was not his priority.
Outgoing Fine Gael leader and Taoiseach Mr Varadkar surprised many within the political establishment by announcing his resignation on Wednesday.
Aside from Mr Harris, all other senior Fine Gael cabinet ministers have ruled themselves out of contention.
Mr Harris has said he is “overwhelmed and honoured” by the level of support he has secured for his Fine Gael leadership bid.
