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Irish Prime Minister To Resign
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| Contributor | RP |
| Last Edited | RP Apr 02, 2008 10:45pm |
| Category | Announcement |
| News Date | Apr 02, 2008 10:00pm |
| Description | Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who helped broker peace in Northern Ireland but couldn't survive a scandal over his collection of cash from businessmen, announced Wednesday he will resign.
Ahern said at a surprise news conference he would step down May 6 after 11 years as Ireland's leader. He denied ever receiving a corrupt payment, but conceded that 18 months of growing criticism of his financial ethics had taken a toll on the effectiveness of his government.
"Never, in all the time I've served in public life, have I put my personal interests ahead of the public good," the 56-year-old Ahern said, flanked by senior Cabinet ministers during a 10-minute statement during which his voice frequently wavered with emotion.
Ahern said he also planned to resign May 6 as leader of Fianna Fail, Ireland's dominant political party, which he has led since 1994. He vowed to continue fighting the accusations against him, and predicted the corruption investigation would conclude "that I have not acted improperly in any way."
Ahern's terms in office have been marked by unprecedented economic success at home and peace in the neighboring British territory of Northern Ireland. |
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