This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/06/enda-kenny-wins-second-term-as-irelands-prime-minister
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Enda Kenny wins second term as Ireland's prime minister | Enda Kenny wins second term as Ireland's prime minister |
(4 months later) | |
Enda Kenny has been re-elected as prime minister of Ireland after 10 weeks of deadlock that followed an inconclusive general election in February. | Enda Kenny has been re-elected as prime minister of Ireland after 10 weeks of deadlock that followed an inconclusive general election in February. |
Kenny is the first Fine Gael PM to win re-election in Irish history, though his triumph is marred by a minority administration that is propped up by independent MPs and, more crucially, by Fianna Fáil. | Kenny is the first Fine Gael PM to win re-election in Irish history, though his triumph is marred by a minority administration that is propped up by independent MPs and, more crucially, by Fianna Fáil. |
The party, which will remain on the opposition benches, has agreed to support the Fine Gael government for a period of two years in an unprecedented political ceasefire between the rivals. | The party, which will remain on the opposition benches, has agreed to support the Fine Gael government for a period of two years in an unprecedented political ceasefire between the rivals. |
Micheal Martin, the Fianna Fáil leader, said his party reserved the right to criticise the government despite the “confidence and supply” agreement he secured with Kenny. “This potentially represents a new beginning,” Martin added. | Micheal Martin, the Fianna Fáil leader, said his party reserved the right to criticise the government despite the “confidence and supply” agreement he secured with Kenny. “This potentially represents a new beginning,” Martin added. |
Earlier this week, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael hammered out a deal that includes the suspension of controversial water charges, a 15% rise in rent allowances to alleviate the housing crisis and a 15,000 increase in police numbers to fight rising crime, such as a resurgence of gangland warfare in Dublin. | Earlier this week, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael hammered out a deal that includes the suspension of controversial water charges, a 15% rise in rent allowances to alleviate the housing crisis and a 15,000 increase in police numbers to fight rising crime, such as a resurgence of gangland warfare in Dublin. |
Kenny’s centre-right party lost 26 seats in February’s election, but remained the largest party in parliament with 50 seats. Fianna Fáil made a stunning recovery from a historical low of 21 seats in the 2011 general election to win 44 seats. Sinn Féin remained the third-biggest party with 23 seats. | Kenny’s centre-right party lost 26 seats in February’s election, but remained the largest party in parliament with 50 seats. Fianna Fáil made a stunning recovery from a historical low of 21 seats in the 2011 general election to win 44 seats. Sinn Féin remained the third-biggest party with 23 seats. |
On Friday Kenny received 59 votes, with 49 against, in the 158-member parliament – by far the fewest votes ever received for a winning premier in Ireland. | On Friday Kenny received 59 votes, with 49 against, in the 158-member parliament – by far the fewest votes ever received for a winning premier in Ireland. |
In a subdued victory speech, he appealed to opposition politicians to “work in partnership together to build a better Ireland. It will be a real test of our democracy, of our character and indeed of this house a test I am convinced we will pass.” | In a subdued victory speech, he appealed to opposition politicians to “work in partnership together to build a better Ireland. It will be a real test of our democracy, of our character and indeed of this house a test I am convinced we will pass.” |
Parliament has now adjourned to allow Kenny to travel to see the Irish president, Michael D Higgins, at his residence in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where Fine Gael leader will officially become PM. | Parliament has now adjourned to allow Kenny to travel to see the Irish president, Michael D Higgins, at his residence in Dublin’s Phoenix Park, where Fine Gael leader will officially become PM. |
Sinn Féin and other leftwing groups in parliament have criticised the Fianna Fail-backed deal. | Sinn Féin and other leftwing groups in parliament have criticised the Fianna Fail-backed deal. |