Controversial deal gives Ireland a new government

The Debates feature from Euro|Topics offers English (+ French and German) translations of a selections of articles in European news sources on this topic.

Euro|topics is a service provided by the Federal Agency for Civic Education in Germany.An arrangement to allow for a minority government emerged in Ireland in late April 2016 under the conservative Fine Gael party led by former Taoiseach Enda Kenny. The liberal Fianna Fáil agreed to back the government. A precondition for the historic agreement was the repeal of the controversial water charges.

The agreement cames after an inconclusive election in February 2016 led to a period of political deadlock.

Enda Kenny was formally elected as Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) on the 6 May 2016.

• Primary Source

BBC News, 29.04.16: Irish election: Fianna Fáil agrees to back minority Fine Gael government http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36171340

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

ESO: Background information: Ireland braces for unprecedented ‘grand coalition’ http://www.europeansources.info/record/ireland-braces-for-unprecedented-grand-coalition/

The Guardian, 29.04.16: Ireland set for minority government after two main parties reach deal http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/29/ireland-fianna-fail-fine-gail-minority-government-enda-kenny

Deutsche Welle, 29.04.16: Irish parties agree to form minority government http://dw.com/p/1IfZZ

BBC News, 06.05.16: Taoiseach Enda Kenny re-elected as Irish prime minister after 70-day wait http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36228773

Deutsche Welle, 06.05.16: Irish MPs re-elect Enda Kenny as prime minister http://dw.com/p/1IjIQ

European Council: Press Release, No.226, 2016: Letter of congratulation from President Donald Tusk to Enda Kenny, on his re-appointment as Taoiseach of Ireland http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/06/09-tusk-letter-enda-kenny/

EUObserver, 12.05.16: Weakened Irish PM faces delicate balancing act https://euobserver.com/beyond-brussels/133414

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