Up in the Eire

22 November 2010 By Peter Thal Larsen Follow @Peter_TL

The country s prime minister has pledged to call an election after its financial rescue is agreed. However, the government may still struggle to pass its impending budget. The desire for a political fresh start is understandable. But delaying the bailout would be very dangerous.

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Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen on Nov. 22 said he would dissolve the country's parliament in January, triggering a general election, once the budget has been passed.

Cowen said it was a matter of the highest importance that the parliament should enact the budget, scheduled for Dec. 7. The planned austerity measures are linked to discussions about a bailout by the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

Earlier in the day, the Green party withdrew its support from the ruling coalition, demanding an early election as soon as a bailout package was in place.

Meanwhile, two independent parliamentarians on whom the government relies for its majority said they could not commit to supporting the budget.

The upheaval came a day after Ireland's government formally requested financial support from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.

The coalition of Fianna Fail, the Greens and independent politicians currently has a threeseat majority in the parliament. This is expected to be reduced to two following a byelection on Nov. 25.

The leader of Fine Gael, Ireland's main opposition, called for an immediate election so that a new government, with a clear parliamentary majority, can prepare the four year economic plan, complete negotiations with the EU and IMF and frame a budget for 2011.

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