Irish PM calls election as economy takes centre stage

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has announced a February 26 election that will pit his 5-year-old government’s record of restoring economic health against critics who accuse him of rescuing banks at the expense of the poor.

Mr Kenny’s Gael party and junior coalition partners Labour will be hoping to return to power, using stability during the economic recovery as their key message.

Kenny had been expected to make the announcement on Tuesday.

Mr Kenny is aiming to become the first Fine Gael leader to be returned as prime minister. However, there were still “many challenges” ahead.

The Taoiseach has fired the starting gun and called the election.

But while many voters have benefited, others are still struggling with the lasting effects of the 2008 financial crisis and a brutal seven-year austerity programme, and the coalition’s opponents are likely to focus their campaigns on that disparity.

Polls show Fine Gael with around 30 percent of votes and Labour at or below 10 percent, leaving them more than 10 seats short of a parliamentary majority of 80 and with no obvious alternative coalition in view.