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PM Cowen Has Dismal Approval in Ireland
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Public support for Irish prime minister Brian Cowen has dropped to its lowest level of the year, according to a poll by TNS mrbi published in The Irish Times. Only 15 per cent of respondents are satisfied with Cowen’s performance, down three points since May.
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore is the top-ranked political leader at 47 per cent, followed by Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny with 29 per cent, Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams with 28 per cent, and Green Party chairman John Gormley with 19 per cent. Public satisfaction with the five political leaders decreased since May.
In May 2007, Irish voters renewed the House of Representatives. Fianna Fáil finished in first place with 41.6 per cent of the vote and 78 lawmakers, followed by Fine Gael with 27.3 per cent and 51 legislators, and Labour with 10.1 per cent and 20 representatives. In June, Bertie Ahern was ratified as prime minister, with the support of Fianna Fáil, six Green lawmakers, two members of the Progressive Democrats and four independents.
In the 1990s, a public inquiry was established to investigate corruption allegations related to the issuing of planning and zoning permits in Ireland. Ahern faced an investigation by the so-called Mahon Tribunal. Ahern’s involvement in the corruption scandal practically paralyzed the legislature in early 2008.
In May 2008, Ahern stepped down and Fianna Fáil lawmakers chose finance minister Brian Cowen to replace him as leader and prime minister. Several fellow party members had called for Ahern—who had served as head of government since June 1997—to resign in order to protect the party from the damages caused by the investigation.
Earlier this month, Kenny dismissed the notion that he could end up hurting his own party, saying, "I heard the national broadcaster [RTÉ] say that Enda Kenny is no Barack Obama and is no Tony Blair. Enda Kenny has no intention of being Barack Obama or Tony Blair. I am Enda Kenny and that is who I am and that is my job. (...) Those who write off Kenny, I would say to them: watch this space."
Polling Data
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the performance of these political leaders?
("Satisfied" listed only)
|
Aug. 2009 |
May 2009 |
Nov. 2008 |
|
|
Eamon Gilmore (Lab.) |
47% |
51% |
38% |
|
Enda Kenny (FG) |
29% |
33% |
33% |
|
Gerry Adams (SF) |
28% |
34% |
33% |
|
John Gormley (GP) |
19% |
25% |
28% |
|
Brian Cowen (FF) |
15% |
18% |
21% |
Source: TNS mrbi / The Irish Times
Methodology: Face-to-face interviews with 1,000 Irish voters, conducted on Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, 2009. Margin of error is 3 per cent.