Simon Harris Takes Reins as Irish Prime Minister

Simon Harris became Ireland's new prime minister, replacing Leo Varadkar after he abruptly quit last month citing personal and political reasons.

Ireland's parliament voted 88 to 69 in favor of Harris, 37, becoming "taoiseach" -- a Gaelic word for "chieftain" or "leader" pronounced "tee-shock".

He was officially installed later at a ceremony with President Michael D. Higgins, becoming the country's youngest ever prime minister.

The center-right Fine Gael party -- part of a three-party governing coalition -- selected Harris as its leader following an uncontested election after Varadkar announced his resignation.

On accepting the nomination, Harris told parliament: "I commit to doing everything that I can to honor the trust that you have placed in me today.

"This is very much a partnership government and I intend to lead us in the spirit of unity, collaboration and mutual respect," he said, watched on by his wife and two children.

"I want to bring new ideas and new energy and, I hope, a new empathy to public life. Time is certainly short, and there's a lot to do," Harris added.

Varadkar, who was in his second stint as prime minister and at 45 was one of Europe's youngest leaders, said last month that he felt he was no longer the "best person" to lead the country.

Harris's crowning as prime minister caps a meteoric political rise.

He joined the youth branch of Fine Gael at the age of 16 and quickly rose through its ranks.

A county councilor at the age of 22, he was elected to parliament in 2011 as a 24-year-old.

Even critics concede he is a talented communicator.

The new taoiseach faces a formidable to-do list, including tackling housing and homelessness crises, and criticism of government policy on asylum seekers.

One of his first jobs will be to choose his cabinet of ministers.