Government lawmaker tells Irish PM to step down by September

Reuters

11 July 2016 at 4:28 am

DUBLIN (Reuters) - A backbench member of Enda Kenny's Fine Gael party called on the Irish Prime Minister to step down over the next two months, becoming the first to openly urge Kenny to make good on a promise to allow a change of leadership. Kenny returned to office only in May as head of a government that is due to run until the end of 2018. But he has said he will not lead the centre-right party into the next election -- though without committing to when he will stand down. Pressure on Kenny to announce a timeline was raised last week, particularly after an opinion poll showed his party had fallen nine percentage points behind its main rival, Fianna Fail. After suffering heavy losses in February elections, Fine Gael returned to power with the backing of a group of independent lawmakers and facilitated by Fianna Fail. That leaves the risk that Fianna Fail could try to trigger a snap election later this year. "The only opportunity for an orderly transition is the summer recess," Fine Gael's Brendan Griffin told national broadcaster RTE on Monday, referring to the parliamentary break which is due to start this month and run into September. Griffin said he was considering putting down a motion of no confidence in Kenny at Fine Gael's weekly party meeting on Wednesday. "It is ultimately a matter for the Taoiseach (prime minister) but the best opportunity for the country for stable government is a change of leadership. Particularly in the context of Brexit, we need to have a stronger Fine Gael." However Kenny's senior ministers, including the main candidates to succeed him, have come out in support of the prime minister. "This is not the time for a leadership challenge. In the light of Britain's vote to leave the European Union, which is a big body blow, we need the experience of the Taoiseach and his relationships in Europe," Education Minister Richard Bruton, who led a challenge against Kenny in 2010, told RTE. (Reporting by Padraic Halpin; Editing by Keith Weir)

The Telegraph
Listen: Biden says he is ‘first black woman to serve with a black president’
Joe Biden has said he is “proud” to be the first “black woman to serve with a black president” in one of a series of verbal gaffes as the USA celebrated Independence Day.
The Telegraph
The world must prepare for President Michelle Obama
The 2024 US Presidential race intensifies. Speculation abounds over potential replacements for President Joe Biden amid increasing pressure from his party and the media to step aside after a jaw-dropping, catastrophic debate against Donald Trump last week. Among the names circulating, a game-changer is emerging: Michelle Obama. Could this be America’s worst nightmare?
The Daily Beast
Conservatives Routed in Worst Election Result for 200 Years
LONDON—The Conservatives, the world’s winningest political party, were booted out of power in dramatic style on Thursday after 14 years of chaotic and divisive rule.The Labour Party had secured a landslide victory, ending an era of Conservative rule over Britain that stretches back to 2010; the year that the iPad and Instagram were launched and Lady Gaga wore that meat dress to the MTV music awards.In that time, the Conservatives have cycled through five leaders, each of them dragging the party
NextShark
16-year-old Chinese boy beat with iron rod on New Zealand bus
On Friday morning, during the Maori New Year public holiday, a 16-year-old teen named Jason was brutally attacked on an Auckland bus by a woman wielding an iron rod. The assailant, described as a Maori woman “more than 200 kilograms," hit Jason multiple times and stabbed him in the face, knocking out five of his teeth, on board the bus after having allegedly shouted "ch*nk" at him at Johns Lane stop. Man intervenes: A 75-year-old Chinese man, Penglai Qiuyue, intervened and managed to grab the weapon, though he was also injured in the process.
People
Eva Amurri Doubles Down in Defense of Her Wedding Dress Cleavage: 'My 32F Boobs Minding Their Business'
The bride, who wore a corset-style Kim Kassas gown on her wedding day, previously clapped back at trolls who felt “scandalized” by her breasts
The Telegraph
Biden ‘seriously considering’ leaving election race
Joe Biden has for the first time said that he is considering ending his presidential campaign, according to reports.
Cinema Online
Joyce Chen confirms she has become a mother
The TVB actress shares photos of her and her daughter, not revealing partner's identity
The Telegraph
Beijing is laughing at the West’s weakness
Russian aggression in Ukraine poses a threat to world peace and stability. China provides material support for Russia’s actions. All this is entirely clear. In Beijing, immediately after a meeting with Xi Jinping in April this year, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that “Russia would struggle to sustain its assault on Ukraine without China’s support”. This included selling huge quantities of machine tools and micro-electronics that would be used in the Russian defence industry.
Hello!
Rod Stewart, 79, rocked by divorce news: report
In a surprising turn of events Rod Stewart has received some shocking divorce news. See details.
Bloomberg
These flight routes suffer the world’s worst turbulence
A series of incidents that left scores of airline passengers needing medical attention has shone a spotlight on the problem of severe in-flight turbulence.
CNN
9 out of 10 voters say there are important differences between Biden and Trump. Here’s what they see as the biggest ones
If there’s one thing that American voters overwhelmingly agree on, it’s that this year’s presidential election presents a stark choice. In the latest CNN poll by SSRS, 91% of registered voters say they see important differences between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, dwarfing even the 77% of voters who said last fall that there were significant divides between the Democratic and Republican parties. Even among the so-called “double haters” – those with unfavorable views of
Cosmo
Jade Thirlwall frees the nipple in a see-through chainmail top
Jade Thirlwall appears on the cover of beat magazine wearing a see-through chainmail top to free the nipple. See the image shared on social media, here.
INSIDER
How Obama mentored the new UK prime minister to help him tell his story
The leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer, has been mentored by Barack Obama. The relationship is likely to continue if Starmer wins the UK election.
BuzzFeed
"It Was The Worst Betrayal I Have Ever Experienced": People Are Revealing The Shocking Reason Why They Don't Speak To Their Sibling Anymore
"Once it became clear he was committed to those ugly morals, I told him never to contact me."
Evening Standard
All change: When will Rishi Sunak have to move out of Number 10 — and where could he live next?
With the removal vans on standby, the current prime minister has a portfolio of high-end properties to choose from
INSIDER
I went inside a hidden room where flight attendants sleep on long-haul flights. I was amazed by its small size and comfy beds.
Business Insider's reporter toured a secret room above economy where Air New Zealand flight attendants sleep on long-haul Boeing 777-300ER flights.
The Independent
A couple rented an Airbnb from a ‘friendly’ landlord. Then they wound up dismembered in a suitcase
Michael Lee Dudley seemed like a typical Washington homeowner – until three teenagers stumbled across a suitcase of horrors on a beach
Hello!
Amanda Holden almost bears all in glamorous shower video from lavish bathroom
BGT's Amanda Holden looked sensational when she almost bore all in a candid shower video. See video.
The Telegraph
Cristiano Ronaldo accused of ‘ambush marketing’ after wearing £230 smart wristband
Cristiano Ronaldo’s heart-rate data during Portugal’s penalty shootout win over Slovenia has been made public by the maker of a wearable device with whom he has partnered.
The Smart Investor
4 Reliable Singapore Dividend Stocks That I Never Intend to Sell
There are good reasons not to let go of a great dividend-paying stock. Here are four of them I plan to hold for the rest of my life. The post 4 Reliable Singapore Dividend Stocks That I Never Intend to Sell appeared first on The Smart Investor.

Latest stories