Eamon Ryan, the leader of Ireland’s Green Party, has announced his decision to step down from his position, as reported by Irish broadcaster RTÉ. This news comes after the recent local and European elections, where the Green Party faced losses in both MEP seats and local councillors.
Mr. Ryan, who has been the leader of the Green Party since 2011, stated that he is stepping aside to “pass the torch to a new generation of leaders.” Despite stepping down as party leader, he will continue to serve as the environment and climate minister. He emphasized the importance of focusing on providing affordable housing, healthcare reform, and climate action in the coming months.
In his announcement outside Leinster House, Mr. Ryan also addressed the social media abuse that he and his party have faced, describing it as a “relentless attack.” He highlighted the negative impact of such attacks on public discourse and expressed optimism about the future despite the challenges.
Taoiseach Simon Harris praised Mr. Ryan as a “dedicated and decent politician” during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil. He acknowledged Mr. Ryan’s positive impact on Irish politics and leadership within the coalition government. Mr. Harris expressed his respect for Mr. Ryan’s decision to step down and wished him well in his future endeavors.
