New Irish PM makes winning EU vote first priority

By Andrew Bushe AFP - Wednesday, May 7 08:23 pm

DUBLIN (AFP) - Ireland's new premier Brian Cowen vowed Wednesday to make winning a crunch EU referendum next month his first priority, immediately after being elected to succeed veteran leader Bertie Ahern.

More broadly the former finance minister, who was elected by 88 votes to 76 in parliament, faces growing economic gloom after a decade-long boom in the so-called Celtic Tiger economy under Ahern.

"I will strive to ensure that our European vocation is alive, engaged and a creative thing," he told lawmakers in a debate after his election by the Irish Dail, Ireland's legislative assembly.

"I look forward to leading a campaign over coming weeks to assure the Irish people that ratification of the European Reform Treaty is in our interests," he added, referring to the referendum expected on June 12.

Ireland is the only EU member holding a referendum on the new treaty, whose rejection by French and Dutch voters in 2005 plunged the bloc into limbo.

Ahern, one of Europe's longest-serving leaders, announced his surprise resignation last month amid growing pressure from a judicial corruption probe. He has denied any wrong-doing.

Cowen , 48, was the only contender for the leadership of Ahern's ruling Fianna Fail party, and therefore for head of government.

Trained as a lawyer before he was elected to the Dail in 1984 following the death of his lawmaker father, Cowen will have no time for a political honeymoon as he takes the helm.

The faltering economy is of growing concern -- after more than a decade of unprecedented growth, the country's economy is running out of steam.

The tax take for the exchequer is shrinking, a long-running property boom is over, the cost of living is rising, exports have been hit by euro currency shifts with sterling and the dollar and unemployment is also on the increase.

In addition, negotiations on a new round of Ireland's system of national pay deals -- a key factor in the building of the Celtic Tiger boom years -- are under way.

Cowen will have to be more austere than his predecessor, who was able to cut taxes and boost welfare allowances.

But his first major task will be to lead a campaign for a "yes" vote for the European Union's Lisbon Treaty, aimed at streamlining the bloc's decision-making, in the referendum.

The most recent poll on April 27 showed the government's campaign had suffered a sharp reversal with a significant shift in public opinion against the treaty, ahead of the June 12 vote.

The "Yes" vote had dropped to 35 percent, down eight points on a similar poll two months ago.

Some 31 percent said they would vote "No", an increase of seven points. The undecided had increased by one point to 34 percent.

Nicknamed Biffo, said to stand for "Big Ignorant Fellow From Offaly," Cowen has wide experience of high office.

Apart from finance, he has also held the ministries of labour (1992-93), transport (1993-94), health (1997-2000) and foreign affairs (2000-04).

The first person to congratulate Cowen after his election was Enda Kenny, leader of the main opposition party Fine Gael.

"You are now the guardian of the people's money, you assume the captaincy of the team for Ireland, use that wisely, use this opportunity wisely. I believe you won't shirk your responsibilities," Kenny said.

Cowen has made former agriculture minister Mary Coughlan his deputy leader and she will move to enterprise and trade minister.

He appointed a new foreign minister, Micheal Martin, who moves from the enterprise and trade portfolio.

Dermot Ahern moves from foreign affairs to justice while Cowen is replaced at finance by former justice minister Brian Lenihan.

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