Irish Parliament Elects New PM

Finance Minister Brian Cowen Replaces Bertie Ahern, Vows To Steer Pro-European Course

(AP)  Finance Minister Brian Cowen was elected Ireland's new prime minister Wednesday, and he pledged to guide the country on a continued pro-European course through choppy economic waters.

Cowen won in an 88-76 vote in Dail Eireann, Ireland's parliament. He received support from all three parties in the government of his predecessor, Bertie Ahern, who stepped down Tuesday after 11 years in power.

A downcast-looking Ahern and lawmakers from all parties offered Cowen a standing ovation. Outside parliament, Cowen was mobbed by cheering, singing well-wishers as police escorted him to his prime ministerial Mercedes.

Cowen was expected to reshuffle the Cabinet later Wednesday. Posts to be filled include Cowen's former positions of deputy prime minister and finance minister.

During his acceptance speech, Cowen's voice quivered with emotion as he noted that his political career began amid tragedy in 1984 when his lawmaker father, Ber, died of a heart attack. His mother, two brothers and two daughters were watching from the public gallery above.

"I accept the honor with a genuine sense of humility. That sense is engendered in large part by my love for Ireland. This is a wonderful country. We are a fortunate people," Cowen said.

He said his top priority in coming weeks was to lead a successful referendum campaign to secure voter support for the European Union's next treaty. Ireland is the only EU member subjecting the Treaty of Lisbon to a popular vote - and an Irish rejection June 12 could delay or block the painstakingly negotiated treaty.

Cowen noted that Ireland had benefited greatly from its 35-year membership in the European Union, and has grown ethnically diverse on the back of more than a decade of rapid growth that has attracted immigrants from throughout the EU.

"The greatest mistake we could now make would be to move away from that opening up to the world that has brought such great benefits to the nation," he said.

Cowen's rise comes at a time of growing economic challenges in Ireland, which has thrived as a favored base for more than 600 U.S. high-tech multinationals. Unemployment this year has risen to 5.6 percent, a decade high, and government tax coffers dependent on Ireland's long-booming housing market have fallen sharply into the red because of the sudden downturn.

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