Leo Varadkar

Ireland set to have first gay PM

The 38-year-old will become the first gay taoiseach and will also be the country's youngest ever leader.

Mr Varadkar beat his rival, Housing Minister Simon Coveney, with 60% of the votes to lead Fine Gael - the biggest party in the coalition government.

He will succeed Enda Kenny as leader of the centre-right party within weeks.

The former GP is the son of an Irish nurse and a doctor from India and much of the media coverage of his victory has focused on Mr Varadkar's background, age and sexuality.

Ireland set to have first gay PM

Mr Varadkar beat his rival, Housing Minister Simon Coveney, with 60 percent of the votes. He will become Ireland's first gay taoiseach (prime minister).

He is expected to take over from former Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny in the next few weeks.

At 38, he will also be Ireland's youngest ever prime minister.

Following the announcement on Friday evening, Mr Varadkar said he was "honoured" to accept the "enormous challenge" ahead of him with humility.

"If my election shows anything it's that prejudice has no hold in this Republic," he said.