Off the wire
• AU to harmonize food standards to boost agricultural trade  • Beijing approves general city plan  • Urgent: Irish PM says to retire as party leader Wednesday midnight  • U.S., EU officials meet to discuss expansion of ban on in-flight laptops  • U.S. stocks tank as selloff intensifies  • Shanghai, Prague to cooperation in film, television  • German stocks lose 1.35 pct Wednesday  • Tax avoidance charges against footballers Falcao and Coentrao  • U.S. stocks tank amid concerns over Trump  • Xinhua Asia-Pacific News Summary at 1600 GMT, May 17  
You are here: 　 Home

1st Ld Writethru: Irish PM says to retire as party leader Wednesday midnight

Xinhua, May 17, 2017 Adjust font size:

Irish Taoiseach (Prime Minister) and Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) leader Enda Kenny said Wednesday he will retire as the party leader effective from Wednesday midnight.

"Last year I indicated that I would not lead the Fine Gael party into the next general election. I have decided to implement that decision today," Kenny said in a statement.

"Therefore I will retire as Leader of Fine Gael effective from midnight tonight, 17th May 2017," he said.

But Kenny said he will remain on as Prime Minister until a new party leader is elected.

"I will continue to carry out my duties as party leader in an acting capacity, until my successor is elected through the Fine Gael leadership election process," he said.

"I have asked that the Fine Gael Executive Council expedite this process and to have it concluded by close of business on Friday June 2nd. I want to assure people that throughout this internal process, I will continue to carry out my duties and responsibilities as Taoiseach in full," he added.

In the 2016 general election, Fine Gael didn't win an overall majority. The party then formed a minority government with independent TDs (members of parliament), with party leader Kenny serving as Prime Minister for the second time. Kenny has led the party since 2002.

Currently, a party leadership contest has officially begun. Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar and Minister for Housing Simon Coveney are widely considered the two frontrunners in the leadership race. Endit