IT’S BEEN THE Leo and Simon Show over the last few weeks, but in the coming days it will very much be the Leo and Enda Show.
After months of speculation about when Taoiseach Enda Kenny would step aside, he finally made his intentions known last month when he stepped down as Fine Gael leader.
With a new Fine Gael leader now in place, the time has come for Kenny to move on from the office of Taoiseach.
It’s expected that Kenny will announce his resignation as Taoiseach in the Dáil chamber today, clearing the way for Leo Varadkar to be nominated for the position tomorrow.
So, how’s it all going to play out?
It’s understood that Kenny will address the Dáil chamber, formally confirming his resignation.
Leaders from other parties and other TDs may well make contributions (be they good or bad) and wish Kenny well on his next endeavour.
Most likely, normal business of the day will be suspended and adjourned until the next day.
Kenny will then go to Áras an Uachtaráin to meet President Michael D Higgins and ask him to accept his resignation.
Last week, there had been speculation that Kenny would step down and Varadkar could be voted in, all in one day. But it’s understood that in order to give Kenny a good send-off today, the vote has been put off till the next day.
Therefore all the platitudes and congratulatory speeches on Kenny’s tenure will take place today, before Varadkar’s big day tomorrow.
On Wednesday, nominations for the next Taoiseach can be put forward. Due to the makeup of the Dáil, other parties can also put forward their own candidates if they wish (though they would never get the support).
Last year, it took four votes for Enda Kenny to finally be made Taoiseach. With the Independent Alliance group already stating that they will support Leo Varadkar as Taoiseach, no surprises are expected and he should get enough votes to be elected the next Taoiseach of Ireland.
Kenny made his Cabinet appointments known the same day he was made Taoiseach last year, but it is unclear if Varadkar will do so.
He may announce his Cabinet reshuffle on Thursday, and even hold off on announcing the junior ministries until Friday, in order to drag the media coverage mileage.
It’s really the new Taoiseach’s prerogative. We’ll just have to wait and see what Varadkar’s reign will bring.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
have your say