Who could be Ireland’s next taoiseach?

BBC News:

After Leo Varadkar announced his decision to step down as taoiseach and leader of Fine Gael, all eyes now turn to who will succeed him.

The Irish prime minister said he would remain as a TD, but he hoped his replacement at the top of the Irish government would take up office shortly after the Easter recess.

Nominations for a new leader will open from 10:00 local time on Thursday and close on Monday at 13:00.

An hour before nominations opened, Minister for Education Simon Harris had already passed the threshold of enough support to stand for the new leadership role.

Candidates must be nominated by at least 10% (six members) of the parliamentary party.

Simon Harris garnered the support of at least nine by Thursday morning.

If there is a contest the winner would be announced on 5 April.

This would allow them time to make their case before June’s local and European elections.

There is also the issue of the next Irish general election, which must take place by March next year.

Mr Varadkar pledged his unequivocal support to his successor during a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday night.

One day on from Varadkar’s resignation, support is mounting for Simon Harris, education minister, to be his successor.

Deputy leader Simon Coveney has already ruled out the prospect of running for leadership.

The 51-year-old is currently the Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister.

Speaking on RTÉ, he said he made a decision “quite some time ago” that he would not stand in another leadership contest after losing to Mr Varadkar in 2017.

So who could be in the running to replace Leo Varadkar?