What? How the fuck can he remain Taoiseach if he's not the leader of the ruling party of Government? Surely that's illegal? Or at the very least surely the Government party can laugh in his face and say "Yeah, yeh might think that, but no. Out on yer ear yeh go"?
The Taoiseach is decided by a straight vote of the Dáil. It can be anyone they choose, it doesn't have to be the leader of the biggest party at all, it can be any TD. It's perfectly legal, just very unusual. The motion of no confidence in the Taoiseach motion, if it was passed, would normally lead to a vote for a new Taoiseach. But nobody will accept putting in a 3rd Taoiseach of this government, so it's keep Cowen or dissolve the Dáil, really.
It is not illegal and in theory it would even be sensible as it would allow the TDs to choose the one of them with some leadership skills and competency, independent of party. In theory too, having the ruling party of govt might imply said skills have been demonstrated.
In practice, it is all fucking gombeenmen pulling favours for their own benefit.
[Scratches head] Okay, maybe I've missed something in the fine print, but don't you need to be the leader of the party with the most seats in order to be Taoiseach?
...or have we suddenly become America when I wasn't looking?
Nope, never have. You just need to get a majority of TDs to elect you Taoiseach, it's that simple. Obviously that's usually the leader of the largest party in government.
And you may, of course, it's a public post, so link away.
So, basically he's following the letter of the law, but not the spirit. Mind you, as nobody in their right mind would want his post right now, I suppose the only alternative would be to dissolve the government.
And thanks for the permission! I know it's a public post but it's always nice to ask so you'll know who to blame when all the strange people show up.
I would really love to know what exactly Cowen is thinking. Reading up on the comprehensive clusterfuck that was his attempt at bullying a new Cabinet into existence leaves me honestly baffled as to what the hell he's playing at.
The only real 'benefit' is that the longer Cowen stays in power, the more damage he does to the party. The downside is that he's damaging the country by staying so long at the same time.
The only thing I can come up with is that there was a real possibility of a bunch of FFers defecting and forming a "New FF" (or "Continuity FF") or something, and he did it (as he's done everything) out of concern for "de party" - which is always the primary concern of FF, rather than the actual country.
So what, then, happens to the Public Finance bill which has been published but not voted on? Supposing that there is a vote of no confidence in Cowen as Taoiseach, does the Dail dissolve and the bill waits for a new Dail to form?
If the legislation isn't passed by this Dáil, aye, it would be up to the new government to decide what to do with it. Which I think any new gov, unless the majority party is SF, will do. But, well, I'm not a betting man, but I reckon there will be phone call after phone call saying, "Rush it through, we'll vote yes, but the price is dissolution of the Dáil on Friday. And an election on Feb 18th."
By Friday FF will have a new leader etc. so it's game on.
Hmm, enjoying is the wrong word. There's an excitement when such momentous events occur and the country gears up for some serious politics, but Cowen & FF's behaviour has been embarrassing and hugely damaging. The dinosaur is dead, it just doesn't know it and the death throes are horrendous.
Yeah, I was picking up that tone of ultimate embarrassment; which is really why I asked, because I had gathered also that this was not the party you supported, and generally (at least in the UK) there is that tendency to rejoice in schadenfreude. But I have the impression that the Irish tend to link the status of their government with the status of their country internationally, in a way that frankly we don't.
Ah, sorry, I was massively enjoying Thursday, it was today that was a lot more complicated. I hope to see the Fianna Fáil party be buried, then I want to dance a jig on that grave. But, post that fall, is the outcome, and it's too easy for people to say, "The Irish are at it again," or rather, for us to imagine they do. So, I suppose, half and half? :)
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In practice, it is all fucking gombeenmen pulling favours for their own benefit.
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...or have we suddenly become America when I wasn't looking?
[P.S. Can I link to this post?]
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And you may, of course, it's a public post, so link away.
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And thanks for the permission! I know it's a public post but it's always nice to ask so you'll know who to blame when all the strange people show up.
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The only real 'benefit' is that the longer Cowen stays in power, the more damage he does to the party. The downside is that he's damaging the country by staying so long at the same time.
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By Friday FF will have a new leader etc. so it's game on.
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