Centrist Micheál Martin becomes new Prime Minister of Ireland

Fianna Fail leader and future Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin leaves the Dublin Congress Center after a special session of Parliament, June 27, 2020. Paul Faith / AFP

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Irish deputies chose Micheál Martin, the boss of the centrist Fianna Fail, to be the Prime Minister, after an unprecedented alliance between his party, the other centrist party and its historic rival Fine Gael and the Green party. Their agreement, which includes a rotating leadership, was found Friday, June 26 to block the nationalists of Sinn Fein, who led the legislative elections in February.

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The vote was held - social distancing obliges - not in the Parliament, but in a center of the Congresses of Dublin.

Unsurprisingly, it is Micheál Martin who first takes the helm of the new executive. As is customary, he immediately went to the president's residence, who confirmed it at his post.

It is therefore the great return to power of Fianna Fail after a stinging defeat ten years ago. In the midst of an economic crisis, the party had experienced the worst failure by an outgoing government. Since then, Micheál Martin has won his bet to restore the coat of arms of his Party.

His priority for the coming months: managing the Covid-19 . We must be ready to face a new wave,  " he said, just elected.

He committed to governing half a mandate, before leaving the reins to the leader of the other great centrist party, the Fine Gael, with which he allied . Leo Varadkar gives way to him on Saturday June 27, but should therefore recover it in December 2022. The Green party, a small party in this coalition, will not have a Prime Minister. However, it managed to impose several environmental commitments in exchange for its support.

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  • Ireland
  • Leo Varadkar

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