By Rory Carroll Ireland correspondent
Leo Varadkar‘s Fine Gael closely matched with fellow centre-right Fianna Fáil in polls
The Irish taoiseach Leo Varadkar has called a general election for 8 February, triggering a campaign that is expected to focus on his government’s record on public services, housing, Brexit and the climate crisis.
Varadkar briefed his cabinet and opposition leaders on Tuesday morning and made a public statement before travelling to the Phoenix Park to ask the president, Michael D Higgins, to dissolve the 32nd Dáil.
Source: Irish prime minister calls national election for 8 February
Category: Ireland, Leo Varadkar, Europe, World news
