Irish PM faces unpalatable alliance as coalition ousted

Ireland’s ruling coalition was ousted by voters angry at the country’s uneven recovery, results indicated on Saturday, leaving Prime Minister Enda Kenny facing the unpalatable prospect of trying to secure a deal with his biggest rival.

His government appeared to be the latest victim of European voters’ growing antipathy to mainstream politics, hit by a backlash against years of austerity and a perception that Ireland’s poor are not benefiting from the fastest economic growth in Europe.

Exit polls suggested the only viable option may be a problematic alliance of old rivals Fianna Fail and Mr Kenny’s Fine Gael — although even their combined support was set to fall below 50 per cent of the vote for the first time. If neither side is able to form a government, fresh elections would have to be called.

“The government of Fine Gael and Labour cannot be returned,” Mr Kenny said late on Saturday. “I’ve a duty and a responsibility to work with the decision that the people have made to provide the country with a stable government, and that I intend to do fully and completely.”

The centre-right Fine Gael captured 26 per cent of first preference votes after 38 of 40 constituencies were counted.