Ireland braces for unprecedented ‘grand coalition’

In April 2016 the main political parties in Ireland were continuing in their efforts to form a government following inconclusive results in the general election held on the 26 February 2016.

Ireland’s acting prime minister Enda Kenny lost a vote in parliament in April 2016 that could have won him re-election.

As a result Ireland’s two largest political parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Faáil, would hold further talks to try and create a new administration and possibly an unprecedented coalition between the two parties.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Irish election: Enda Kenny admits coalition will not return http://www.europeansources.info/record/irish-election-enda-kenny-admits-coalition-will-not-return/

ESO: Background information: Irish general election, 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/irish-general-election-26-february-2016/

The Guardian, 06.04.16: Enda Kenny loses re-election vote as political deadlock continues http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/06/ireland-fine-gael-fianna-fail-meet-dublin-talks-government-election

The Guardian, 14.04.16: Ireland still without government after third failure to pick taoiseach http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/14/ireland-government-taoiseach-kenny-martin

Politico, 14.04.16: No Irish government in sight as arch-enemies feud http://www.politico.eu/article/no-irish-government-in-sight-as-arch-enemies-feud-kenny-fine-gael-fianna-fail/

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