Irish government ‘likely to collapse before Brexit talks’
Opposition tables no-confidence motion that could trigger elections
Ireland’s minority government was on the verge of collapse today after the opposition Fianna Fail party submitted a no-confidence motion in the deputy prime minister, just weeks before a key UK-EU Brexit summit.
The motion against Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s deputy, Frances Fitzgerald, concerns her handling of a legal case involving a police whistle-blower.
Varadkar has rejected Fianna Fail’s demand that he sack Fitzgerald. He is meeting Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin later today to see if a compromise can be agreed, The Irish Times reports. If no deal is reached, says Irish broadcaster RTE, the motion will be debated on Tuesday.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The crisis is likely to lead to an election next month or in January, and may complicate the 14-15 December Brexit summit,” Reuters says. Varadkar faces going into the Brexit talks “as a lame duck”, or “in the middle of an election campaign”, the website adds.
One of the three main sticking points in the Brexit negotiations involves what the future border will look like between Ireland’s north and south when the UK leaves the EU in March 2019. UK-EU trade talks are unlikely to move forward without a resolution on the border. The other key issues are the UK divorce bill to settle Britain’s financial obligations with the EU, and the rights of EU citizens in the UK.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
7 drinks for every winter need possible
The Week Recommends Including a variety of base spirits and a range of temperatures
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
'We have made it a crime for most refugees to want the American dream'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Was the Azerbaijan Airlines plane shot down?
Today's Big Question Multiple sources claim Russian anti-aircraft missile damaged passenger jet, leading to Christmas Day crash that killed at least 38
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Why Assad fell so fast
The Explainer The newly liberated Syria is in an incredibly precarious position, but it's too soon to succumb to defeatist gloom
By The Week UK Published
-
Romania's election rerun
The Explainer Shock result of presidential election has been annulled following allegations of Russian interference
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Russia's shadow war in Europe
Talking Point Steering clear of open conflict, Moscow is slowly ratcheting up the pressure on Nato rivals to see what it can get away with.
By The Week UK Published
-
Cutting cables: the war being waged under the sea
In the Spotlight Two undersea cables were cut in the Baltic sea, sparking concern for the global network
By The Week UK Published
-
The nuclear threat: is Vladimir Putin bluffing?
Talking Point Kremlin's newest ballistic missile has some worried for Nato nations
By The Week UK Published
-
Russia vows retaliation for Ukrainian missile strikes
Speed Read Ukraine's forces have been using U.S.-supplied, long-range ATCMS missiles to hit Russia
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published