[1] With Fine Gael being the governing party at the time, this election effectively selected a new Taoiseach for Ireland.

The 2016 general election saw Fine Gael lose seats, and its Labour Party coalition partners substantially diminished.

Kenny was weakened by criticisms of his handling Garda whistleblower scandal, and—according to an analysis by RTÉ.ie—was an electoral liability to his party at a time when an election could be imminent leading to calls for him to step down.

[17] These rules were brought in to effect in 2002 after Enda Kenny assumed the leadership, and came about as a result of a motion put forward by Leo Varadkar.

[17] Although Coveney won the members' vote by a 2:1 margin, Varadkar's strong support with the Parliamentary Party secured him a commanding victory in the electoral college.