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Dail to confirm Cowen as leader Cowen is confirmed as taoiseach
(about 10 hours later)
Brian Cowen formally takes over later from Bertie Ahern as taoiseach. Outgoing Irish finance minister Brian Cowen has formally taken over from Bertie Ahern as taoiseach.
The 48-year-old will be nominated in the Dáil to the Office of the Taoiseach at about 1330 BST, after which he is expected to unveil his new cabinet. The 48-year-old was elected in the Irish Parliament and won by 88 votes to 76. He was given a standing ovation by party colleagues in the Dáil.
Mr Ahern handed in his seal of office to President McAleese on Tuesday. He announced last month he would be resigning after 11 years in the post. Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny said Mr Cowen had assumed position as captain of the team of Ireland and he urged him to use his position wisely.
Mr Cowen's first electoral test is just weeks away, with a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which reforms the EU. Mr Ahern handed in his seal of office to President McAleese on Tuesday.
The Republic of Ireland is the only country holding a referendum on the issue, so a defeat would have wider consequences than the fate of Mr Cowen's reputation. As prime minister, Mr Cowen succeeds Mr Ahern as Fianna Fáil leader and head of the coalition government.
His first electoral test is just weeks away, with a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty which reforms the EU.
Focus on finances
The Republic of Ireland is the only country holding a referendum on the issue.
All the main political parties with the exception of Sinn Fein are urging a yes vote, but the polls show growing support for those opposed, especially in the farming community.All the main political parties with the exception of Sinn Fein are urging a yes vote, but the polls show growing support for those opposed, especially in the farming community.
Mr Ahern, 56, has been taoiseach since June 1997 and has been a member of the Irish Parliament for 31 years. Mr Ahern, 56, was taoiseach since June 1997 and has been a member of the Dáil or Irish Parliament for 31 years.
He announced on 2 April that he would be stepping down, amid mounting pressure as a public inquiry investigating planning corruption in the 1990s questioned him about his personal finances.He announced on 2 April that he would be stepping down, amid mounting pressure as a public inquiry investigating planning corruption in the 1990s questioned him about his personal finances.
Mr Ahern said he had not done anything wrong, but was quitting because he did not want the constant focus on his finances to affect his Fianna Fáil party.Mr Ahern said he had not done anything wrong, but was quitting because he did not want the constant focus on his finances to affect his Fianna Fáil party.
Mr Cowen succeeds Mr Ahern as Fianna Fáil leader and head of the coalition government.