Cowen to be next Irish PM
Sunday, April 6, 2008
IRISH deputy premier Brian Cowen is set to succeed outgoing Prime Minister Bertie Ahern next month, officials revealed yesterday.
Cowen, who is also finance minister, was the only contender for leadership of the ruling Fianna Fail party when nominations closed, chief whip Tom Kitt confirmed.
"I am deeply honoured by the confidence shown in me by the members of the Parliamentary Party," Cowen, 48, said in reaction.
"It is a reflection of the support of the wider Fianna Fail membership throughout the country. I am grateful for that overwhelming endorsement of my candidacy for the leadership of the party at this time."
He has already received the backing of all the senior Fianna Fail ministers in the coalition government.
Unless the three-party alliance — which is also supported by a number of independent lawmakers — breaks down, Cowen will not face a general election until mid-2012.
He will be the first leader of centrist Fianna Fail to succeed to the post by acclamation since former premier Sean Lemass took over from its founder Eamon de Valera in 1959.
A special meeting of the parliamentary party will be held next Wednesday to formally elect him as leader.
He is then due to be elected as Taoiseach (prime minister) on May 7 by the Dail (lower house of parliament) in succession to Ahern, who will tender his resignation to President Mary McAleese the day before.
Cowen was nominated by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan and seconded by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.
Both have been named as Cowen's possible future Tanaiste (deputy prime minister).AFP
Cowen, who is also finance minister, was the only contender for leadership of the ruling Fianna Fail party when nominations closed, chief whip Tom Kitt confirmed.
"I am deeply honoured by the confidence shown in me by the members of the Parliamentary Party," Cowen, 48, said in reaction.
"It is a reflection of the support of the wider Fianna Fail membership throughout the country. I am grateful for that overwhelming endorsement of my candidacy for the leadership of the party at this time."
He has already received the backing of all the senior Fianna Fail ministers in the coalition government.
Unless the three-party alliance — which is also supported by a number of independent lawmakers — breaks down, Cowen will not face a general election until mid-2012.
He will be the first leader of centrist Fianna Fail to succeed to the post by acclamation since former premier Sean Lemass took over from its founder Eamon de Valera in 1959.
A special meeting of the parliamentary party will be held next Wednesday to formally elect him as leader.
He is then due to be elected as Taoiseach (prime minister) on May 7 by the Dail (lower house of parliament) in succession to Ahern, who will tender his resignation to President Mary McAleese the day before.
Cowen was nominated by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan and seconded by Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan.
Both have been named as Cowen's possible future Tanaiste (deputy prime minister).AFP
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