Pro-repeal campaigners had contrasted Mr. Varadkar’s initial reticence with the stance of his chief rival, Micheal Martin, who heads the country’s main opposition party. Mr. Martin’s directness also put Mr. Varadkar — whose Fine Gael party, although economically conservative, has a large socially liberal wing — in an uncomfortable position with elements of his own base. Mr. Varadkar was the fresh face of leadership last year when, at 38, he became Ireland’s youngest prime minister. Previously, while a junior member of Parliament, Mr. Varadkar had taken a number of socially conservative positions. Mr. Varadkar’s cabinet on Monday will try to agree on the wording of the referendum.

Source: New York Times January 27, 2018 21:22 UTC