The World : Ireland Talks Break Down

Talks on forming a new Irish government broke down when the center-right Progressive Democrats insisted on a coalition with caretaker Prime Minister Charles Haughey. Haughey, forced to resign Thursday after a snap election that left his Fianna Fail party worse off than before, has ruled out any coalition, suggesting a looser linkup instead. On Friday, he put out feelers to the Progressive Democrats, who have the six seats needed to give him an overall majority, saying he wanted a “policy-based arrangement” with them. But the Progressive Democrats, formed three years ago by Haughey dissidents, held out for a coalition.