Former Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin has been elected as the head of the Fianna Fail party, it has been announced.
He won the leadership contest handily defeating Brian Lenihan, Finance Minister, Eamon O Cuiv, Social Responsibility Minister and Mary Hanafin, Tourism Minster.
He replaces current prime minister Brian Cowen who will step down as the leader of the Government after the election.
Martin (50) who is a native of Cork, was the expected victor after he became the only candidate to oppose Cowen during a previous leadership battle.
He has extensive experience in government ministries, including as health and enterprise minister. He is best known for introducing a smoking ban in public places, including pubs, during his time as health minister. His young daughter died tragically recently of a heart ailment.
Now he faces a very tough task leading Fianna Fail into an election in late February where they are expected to lose heavily and be out of power for at least two elections.
He won the first count with 34 votes to his nearest rival O Cuiv’s 15, Lenihan had 14 and Hanafin 10.
4 Comments
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.scanner123 | Jan 26, 2011, 05:37 PM EST
Michael Martin gave an interview this evening on TV and he sounds just like Bertie and Brian rolled into one. He is still of the old type FF politician. Why didn't they just let someone new without a history of being a bad politician to lead the party into the race
antoman | Jan 26, 2011, 02:07 PM EST
Good job the President of Ireland is a woman.Were it a man I can imagine him walking up and saying "how ya boy".Hope she don't get offended when he says "thanks love".
sirpeter | Jan 26, 2011, 01:06 PM EST
But the Titanic is now been driven by a Corkman Creakygate.Too late to avoid the iceberg,but at least the ship won't sink now. The problems were caused by Leinster men Creaky as they always are.
Towngate | Jan 26, 2011, 12:36 PM EST
Like swapping deckchairs on the Titanic.