Micheál Martin wins Fianna Fail leadership battle 26/01/11
Micheál Martin met expectations winning today’s Fianna Fail’s leadership ballot.
Of the 72 TDs eligible the former Minister for Foreign Affairs received 33 votes on the first count, having been bookmaker Paddy Power’s odds-on favourite at 1/16 to win.
Éamon Ó Cuív, former Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, polled strongly with 15 votes after the first count and was second place. Last minute lobbying was insufficient to secure him the desired role.
Despite his recent victory concerning the Finance bill in the Dail Finance Minister Brian Lenihan only received 14 votes and was in third place at the first count.
Mary Hanafin failed in her bid to become the party’s first female leader coming bottom of the poll with 10 votes on the first count.
Hanafin's votes were redistributed equally between O’Cuiv and Lenihan. The Finance Minister was then eliminated from the poll, having fewer first preference votes at the first count, making Mr Ó Cuív runner-up.
Micheál Martin’s outspoken opposition to former leader Brian Cowen foreshadowed last week’s mass cabinet resignations. Taoiseach Cowen resigned as party leader following his subsequent loss of authority.
Speaking to RTE Michael McGrath, Mr Martin’s co-constituent TD for Cork South Central, welcomed the “tremendous opportunity for Fianna Fáil to go into the election with renewed enthusiasm.”
Mr Martin is expected to hold a news conference regarding his victory later today.
No comments:
Post a Comment