Thursday, March 10, 2016

Irish Post-Election Stalemate Persists as No Prime Minister Elected


Reuters, 10/03 18:40 CET

By Padraic Halpin

DUBLIN (Reuters) – Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny lost a vote in parliament to be re-elected premier on Thursday, as expected, and was set to assume the role in a caretaker capacity while his Fine Gael party attempts to form a new government.

Ireland has become one of several euro zone countries facing a prolonged political stalemate following its inconclusive parliamentary election on Feb. 26. Senior Irish ministers say it could take weeks to break the deadlock.

Kenny’s centre-right party fell 29 seats short of the 79 needed to win a parliamentary majority. Its historic rival Fianna Fail is the only viable partner to form a stable coalition but many in both parties are resisting such a tie-up.

Shortly after rejecting Kenny’s re-election bid on Thursday, the Irish parliament also blocked an attempt by Fianna Fail’s Micheal Martin, leader of the second biggest party, to become prime minister. 

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Source: Euronews

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