Cowen’s Future in Jeopardy as ‘Forgotten’ Irish Vote
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Prime Minister Brian Cowen’s future may be played out in a corner of Ireland nicknamed the “forgotten county,” where voters will get the chance this week to show him that the country’s bailout has a political cost.
A special election for the Irish parliamentary seat of Donegal Southwest takes place on Nov. 25, four days after Cowen sought international aid. His coalition partners, the Green Party, said yesterday they will quit the government next month and independent lawmakers threatened to block his budget. Cowen responded by saying he will hold national elections in early 2011 after first trying to win backing for the budget.