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Irish Majority Approves of New PM Cowen
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Ireland’s new prime minister is supported by most people in the country, according to a poll by TNS mrbi published in The Irish Times. 52 per cent of respondents are satisfied with the performance of Fianna Fáil (FF) leader Brian Cowen.
Sinn Fein (SF) leader Gerry Adams is second with 48 per cent, followed by Green Party (GP) leader John Gormley with 44 per cent, Labour Party leader Eamon Gilmore with 40 per cent, Fine Gael (FG) leader Enda Kenny with 39 per cent, and Progressive Democrats (PD) leader Ciaran Cannon with 16 per cent.
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 earlier this year.
Ahern stepped down on May 6. 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.
On May 7, Fianna Fáil lawmakers chose finance minister Brian Cowen to replace Ahern as leader and prime minister. Cowen immediately vowed to fight in favour of a "Yes" vote in the upcoming referendum on whether Ireland should ratify the Lisbon Treaty—a common European body of law—saying, "A ‘yes’ vote on the treaty would secure our place in the heart of Europe. (Rejection) would only weaken our position and influence."
Irish voters will take part on the Lisbon Treaty referendum on Jun. 12.
Polling Data
Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with the performance of these political leaders?
(Satisfied listed only)
|
Brian Cowen (FF) |
52% |
|
Gerry Adams (SF) |
48% |
|
John Gormley (GP) |
44% |
|
Eamon Gilmore (Lab.) |
40% |
|
Enda Kenny (FG) |
39% |
|
Ciaran Cannon (PD) |
16% |
Source: TNS mrbi / The Irish Times
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Irish voters, conducted on May 12 and May 13, 2008. No margin of error was provided.