Cowen Waiting In Wings To Assume Irish Leadership

by Jason Gorringe, Tax-News.com, London

07 April 2008

It has emerged that Ireland's Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Brian Cowen is almost certain to succeed current Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who has announced his resignation from office as a result of an ongoing financial investigation.

Nominations for the leadership of the centrist Fianna-Fail party - and effectively for Prime Minister - close on Saturday afternoon, but at the time of writing, Cowen remained the only candidate standing, after all of his cabinet colleagues declared no interest in the top job and threw their support behind the current Finance Minister. While it is still possible that a member of the parliamentary party could oppose Cowen, it is thought highly unlikely.

It is therefore expected that Cowen will be officially named as the party's new leader at a special meeting on Wednesday morning. However, he will have to wait until May 7th before he can be officially crowned as the new Irish leader on which day, the Dail, or parliament, elects a new Prime Minister.

In the meantime, Cowen will serve as Prime Minister-elect until Ahern's resignation becomes effective the day before the election.

Although he finds himself taking the reins of power somewhat sooner than predicted, Cowen was named last year by Ahern as his preferred successor, and is perhaps the most widely experienced and able of the current cabinet, having served as a minister in six government departments since 1992. However, his direct straight-talking style, in contrast to Ahern's smoother approach to office, may ruffle a few political feathers.

Ahern announced his resignation on April 2nd because a long investigation into his tax affairs and personal finances was "threatening to dominate the political agenda".

Recommended