Cowen abandons reshuffle and sets election date

Brian Cowen, Ireland’s embattled prime minister, called on the 20 January 2011 a general election on 11 March 2011 to satisfy coalition partners who had threatened to pull out of the government over the leader’s attempt to bolster his party’s electoral chances by reshuffling his cabinet.

ESO: Background information: Embattled Irish PM survives confidence vote http://www.europeansources.info/record/embattled-irish-pm-survives-confidence-vote/

BBC News, 20.1.11: Irish PM Brian Cowen announces 11 March election http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12239332

Deutsche Welle, 20.1.11: Irish prime minister calls general election after resignation row http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,14777105,00.html

Irish Times, 20.1.11: Greens opposed Cowen's plan to appoint ministers http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0120/breaking3.html

---