Martin Takes Over as Irish Prime Minister in Grand Coalition
- Fianna Fail enters grand coalition with Fine Gael, Greens
- Martin must navigate Covid-19 crisis, housing shortage
Micheal Martin at the Irish General Election count in Cork on February 9.
Photographer: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images EuropeThis article is for subscribers only.
Micheal Martin took over as Ireland’s new prime minister at the helm of the nation’s first grand coalition, replacing Leo Varadkar in a rotating premiership.
Lawmakers voted by 93 votes to 63 to make Martin, 59, prime minister, more than four months after a general election failed to produce a clear winner. His ascent to power came after the Green Party voted on Friday to enter government with the nation’s traditional powerhouses, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.