04/04/2008

Bets Off As Taoiseach Race Is All Non Runners

As the field all pull out of the race, Brian Cowen is now to become the new leader of Fianna Fail, and Ireland's 12th Taoiseach.

On Thursday, senior party figures rallied behind the minister and withdrew themselves from the contest.

Mr Cowen's only remaining obstacle to the leadership was the Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey. But after senior party talks on Thursday night, Mr Dempsey fell at the first and withdrew his threat to challenge for the leadership, Brian Cowen's path to Taoiseach was secured.

The place battle will now be for the top jobs in the reshuffled government.

The formal selection process for appointing a party leader is a secret ballot. But the closing date for nominees is Saturday afternoon, and as yet there is only one nominee, Brian Cowen.

The next major race is to see who will be given Mr Cowen's old job as Tanaiste and Finance Minister, however it's not yet known whether the two roles will stay merged or be split.

(DW/JM)

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