The Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar has announced that he is stepping down before the next general election.

The 45- year-old Taoiseach has also announced that he is immediately resigning as leader of Fine Gael, describing his period leading the country as "the most fulfilling time of my life".

Varadkar became Ireland's youngest Taoiseach in 2017 when he became leader of Fine Gael at the age of 38.

He currently leads the coalition government in Dublin, along with Fianna Fáil and the Greens.

Irish Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is stepping down

Varadkar told a press conference in Dublin that his decision is "personal and political".

He said: "I am resigning as president and leader effective from today and will resign as Taoiseach as soon as my successor is able to take up that office...[It is time] to pass on the baton to someone else."

He added that he did not feel like the "best person for the job any more...there is never a right time to resign high office, however this is as good a time as any".

The announcement comes ahead of local government and European parliament elections in Ireland in June. The next general election must be held by early spring next year.

Over the last year, ten Fine Gael TDs have announced their intention to step away from politics at the general election, fuelling speculation of internal discontent within the party.

He said: "Most of all I believe the re-election of this three-party government would be the right thing for the future of our country. Continuing to take us forward, protecting all that has been achieved and building on it.

"But, after careful consideration and some soul searching, I believe that a new taoiseach and a new leader will be better placed than me to achieve that, to renew and strengthen the team, to focus our message and policies, to drive implementation.

"And, after seven years in office, I don’t feel I’m the best person for that job anymore."