09/12/2010

Coalition Push Election Date To March

An apparent row between members of the coalition has resulted in the likely date for the next election being pushed back until 2010.

According to the Irish Times this morning, the row between the Green Party and Fianna Fail exploded on Tuesday when the two Green Ministers insisted their priority legislation on climate change, corporate donations and waste levies were passed before the general election.

It is understood the Fianna Fail leadership blank refused the request saying that the Green's had no negotiating power after already announcing they would leave the Coalition in early January, thereby forcing a general election.

The Green party are pushing to have their 'wish-list' of laws passed first thing in January, including proposals for a Climate Change Bill, an Electoral Amendment Bill banning corporate donations and legislation on animal welfare and waste levies.

However, Fianna Fail are likely to use the list of laws as leverage to extend their time in office, possibly until St Patrick's Day.

Support for the Fianna Fail party is currently at almost record lows, with support for Taoiseach Brian Cowen at 8%.

(DW)

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