Irish PM Brian Cowen to call new year election

LONDON. November 23. KAZINFORM Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen has said he will call a general election in the new year following a day of political turmoil over an EU-led bail-out of the country's ailing economy; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
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He rejected opposition calls for a snap election, saying the country's crucial budget had to be passed first.

Earlier, the Green Party - junior partners in the governing coalition - called for a January election.

The government has accepted up to 90bn euros (£77bn; $124bn) in loans.

In return, the government is to publish a four-year economic plan on Wednesday and is drawing up an austerity budget, to be unveiled on 7 December.

"We believe that there is a clear duty on all members of Dail Eireann [lower house of parliament] to facilitate the passage of these measures in the uniquely serious circumstances in which we find ourselves," said Mr Cowen after an emergency meeting of cabinet members.

"The political and financial stability of the state require no less. It is my intention, at the conclusion of this budgetary process with the enactment of the necessary legislation in the New Year, (to) then seek a dissolution of Dail Eireann and to enable the people to determine who should undertake the responsibilities of government in the challenging period ahead thereafter."

He called for MPs to support the budget and the four-year plan - aimed at bringing stability to the economy.

However, the BBC's Mark Simpson in Dublin says that, despite Mr Cowen's statement, MPs could still force him from office before the budget is agreed.

The Labour Party and Fine Gael - the Republic of Ireland's two main opposition parties - earlier called for the immediate dissolution of parliament.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said in a statement: "What is needed now is an immediate general 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".

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said it was "essential that we have a new government elected as soon as possible"; Kazinform cites BBC News.

See www.bbc.co.uk for full version

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