Irish premier won't quit over Ireland debt crisis
1/16/2011DUBLIN — Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen says he won't resign despite intense criticism of his management of Ireland's European-record deficit and its international bailout.
Cowen's announcement Sunday follows days of talks with lawmakers in his Fianna Fail party, many of whom want him to quit immediately.
His determination to stay leaves unsettled the question of whether his government will survive long enough to pass the emergency deficit-slashing legislation required by the €67.5 billion ($90 billion) bailout from the European Union and International Monetary Fund.
Fianna Fail rivals could quickly pursue a no-confidence motion to try to oust him.
Cowen rose to power in 2008 as Ireland's Celtic Tiger economic boom was giving way to a property-market implosion and banking crisis.