WORLD : Haughey Defeated; Ireland in Crisis
Ireland was plunged into a political crisis today when Charles Haughey failed in his bid to become prime minister for the fourth time.
He was defeated by an 86-78 vote when Parliament returned to select a new leader after an inconclusive general election. In the 68-year history of the Irish state, Parliament has never failed to elect a new prime minister.
Haughey, known as “The Great Survivor” and renowned as a master wheeler-dealer in back-room bargaining, may now have to turn to his bitterest political foes if he is to scrape back into office.
The Progressive Democrats, founded three years ago by Haughey dissidents who considered his leadership autocratic, have six seats, the magic number Haughey needs to win a working majority in Parliament.
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