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Ahern moves ahead in Irish polls | Ahern moves ahead in Irish polls |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Bertie Ahern looks set to be returned as taoiseach for a third term, as counting continues in the Irish Republic general election. | Bertie Ahern looks set to be returned as taoiseach for a third term, as counting continues in the Irish Republic general election. |
One veteran Fianna Fail member said of her party leader: "It was a Bertie Ahern election and he won it for us." | One veteran Fianna Fail member said of her party leader: "It was a Bertie Ahern election and he won it for us." |
But Michael McDowell, the deputy prime minister and leader of coalition partner Progressive Democrats, is to quit politics after he lost his seat. | |
The official counting is expected to take several days. | The official counting is expected to take several days. |
The Fianna Fail-led coalition has 44.2% of the vote, against 36.2% for Fine Gael's centre-left alliance. | The Fianna Fail-led coalition has 44.2% of the vote, against 36.2% for Fine Gael's centre-left alliance. |
The Republic of Ireland's system of proportional representation means that parties' representation in the 165-seat Dail (lower house of parliament) closely matches their percentage of the vote. | The Republic of Ireland's system of proportional representation means that parties' representation in the 165-seat Dail (lower house of parliament) closely matches their percentage of the vote. |
HAVE YOUR SAY After 10 years, Bertie's team could do with a change. Our public services need more attention Micheál, Cork, Ireland Send us your comments The taoiseach has led a coalition government since 1997 - a period of sustained economic growth for the republic. | HAVE YOUR SAY After 10 years, Bertie's team could do with a change. Our public services need more attention Micheál, Cork, Ireland Send us your comments The taoiseach has led a coalition government since 1997 - a period of sustained economic growth for the republic. |
But critics say his centrist Fianna Fail government should have done more to improve public services. | But critics say his centrist Fianna Fail government should have done more to improve public services. |
Exit poll | Exit poll |
The exit poll from national broadcaster RTE has Fianna Fail with 41.6% of Thursday's vote - little changed from its winning 2002 result. | The exit poll from national broadcaster RTE has Fianna Fail with 41.6% of Thursday's vote - little changed from its winning 2002 result. |
But analysts say Mr Ahern may be looking for a new coalition partner, as the exit polls suggest his outgoing partners, the Progressive Democrats, are down a few percentage points - at 2.6% - from 2002. | But analysts say Mr Ahern may be looking for a new coalition partner, as the exit polls suggest his outgoing partners, the Progressive Democrats, are down a few percentage points - at 2.6% - from 2002. |
Fine Gael is credited with 26.3% of the vote and its Labour Party alliance partner with 9.9%. | Fine Gael is credited with 26.3% of the vote and its Labour Party alliance partner with 9.9%. |
The nationalist party Sinn Fein has 7.3% and the Greens have 4.8%. | The nationalist party Sinn Fein has 7.3% and the Greens have 4.8%. |
Opposition alliance partner, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, seemed to concede the election by saying he expected Mr Ahern to remain as Taoiseach. | Opposition alliance partner, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte, seemed to concede the election by saying he expected Mr Ahern to remain as Taoiseach. |
However, his prospective coalition colleague, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, has refused to admit defeat. | However, his prospective coalition colleague, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, has refused to admit defeat. |
Early on Friday afternoon, one popular bookmaker was so certain of the result, it paid out to punters who backed Mr Ahern to return as taoiseach. | Early on Friday afternoon, one popular bookmaker was so certain of the result, it paid out to punters who backed Mr Ahern to return as taoiseach. |
It is not yet clear whether his Fianna Fail party will gain the requisite 83 seats to form a majority government, or whether they will need to form a coalition government as has been the case for decades in the Republic. | It is not yet clear whether his Fianna Fail party will gain the requisite 83 seats to form a majority government, or whether they will need to form a coalition government as has been the case for decades in the Republic. |