LONDON (AA) – Ireland’s parliament, the Dail, successfully nominated Enda Kenny as prime minister after 70 days of political deadlock.
The country had been without a government since February’s general election, in which Kenny’s center-right Fine Gael party won the most seats but had no clear coalition partners.
It took 10 weeks for him to conclude a confidence-and-supply deal – an agreement in which the minority party supports the government but reserves the right to vote otherwise – with the centrist Fianna Fail to back a minority government led by Fine Gael.
Kenny was supported in Friday’s vote by 59 Fine Gael and independent lawmakers, while 49 voted against and Fianna Fail lawmakers abstained.
Speaking after his nomination was confirmed, Kenny said his minority government would act for all the people.
He told the Dail: “This government has much to do. Our country faces many challenges. That was the message that the people gave during the election. That was the message that has been repeated by so many of you on so many occasions.”
Kenny was expected to include a number of independent lawmakers in his cabinet and announce his program of government later on Friday.
