In a surprise move, Ireland’s leader, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, announced Wednesday he is resigning, stating simply, “The time has come to pass on the baton.”

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: “I know inevitably there will be speculation as to the, quote-unquote, 'real reason' for my decision. These are the real reasons. That’s it. I have nothing else lined up. I have nothing in mind. I have no definite personal or political plans. But I’m really looking forward to having the time to think about them.”

At 45, Varadkar is Ireland’s youngest-ever taoiseach. He’s also Ireland’s first openly gay leader and first Indian and mixed-race leader. On Sunday, he called for a Gaza ceasefire as he joined President Biden at the White House for a St. Patrick’s Day celebration.