President Donald Trump talks with new Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar during a telephone call, Tuesday, June 27, 2017, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
June 27, 2017 - 3:56 PM
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump spoke for the first time Tuesday with Ireland's new prime minister, Leo Varadkar.
Trump congratulated Varadkar on his "great victory" during a portion of the telephone conversation that the White House opened up to reporters. The White House said later that Trump invited Varadkar to visit for St. Patrick's Day next year.
Varadkar, 38, is Ireland's youngest prime minister. He's the son of an Indian immigrant and the first openly gay politician in the post.
Varadkar is also a doctor who has held three previous Cabinet posts. He defeated a rival in a contest to replace Enda Kenny, who resigned.
Varadkar's rival won the most party-member votes. But Varadkar was backed by most lawmakers and local representatives, giving him a victory under the centre-right Fine Gael party's electoral college system.
Victory in an electoral college system is something Trump understands. That's how he was elected president last November.
"I just want to congratulate you. That was a great victory that you had," Trump said.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017