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22 January 2011
Last updated at 09:19 ET
Irish PM Brian Cowen has said he is stepping down as leader of the ruling Fianna Fail party but will continue to run the government until the general election on 11 March.
Mr Cowen told a news conference in Dublin that the focus of the election should be policy and not personality.
He won a secret ballot on his leadership on Tuesday but has since faced renewed pressure.
Mr Cowen has seen his ratings plummet amid Ireland's economic crisis.
Its economy was given a bail-out package by the European Union and International Monetary Fund last year.
Mr Cowen said he had "deep affection" for the men and women who worked for Fianna Fail and wanted it to be in the best possible position to fight the election campaign.
"At this crucial time the focus should be on policies of parties and not on personalities," he said.
"I'm concerned that renewed internal criticism of Fianna Fail is deflecting attention from this important debate," Mr Cowen said.
"Therefore, taking everything into account after discussing the matter with my family I have taken, on my own counsel, the decision to step down."
The PM, or Taoiseach, said: "My intention now is to concentrate fully on government business and on continuing to implement the recovery plan."
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Mr Cowen told a news conference in Dublin that the focus of the election should be policy and not personality.
He won a secret ballot on his leadership on Tuesday but has since faced renewed pressure.
Mr Cowen has seen his ratings plummet amid Ireland's economic crisis.
Its economy was given a bail-out package by the European Union and International Monetary Fund last year.
Mr Cowen said he had "deep affection" for the men and women who worked for Fianna Fail and wanted it to be in the best possible position to fight the election campaign.
"At this crucial time the focus should be on policies of parties and not on personalities," he said.
"I'm concerned that renewed internal criticism of Fianna Fail is deflecting attention from this important debate," Mr Cowen said.
"Therefore, taking everything into account after discussing the matter with my family I have taken, on my own counsel, the decision to step down."
The PM, or Taoiseach, said: "My intention now is to concentrate fully on government business and on continuing to implement the recovery plan."
Are you in Ireland? What is your reaction to Mr Cowen's resignation as party leader? Send us your comments using the form below.
Business Forum | Christian Forum | Coupon Forum | Discussion Forum | Gamers Forum
Legal Forum | Politics Forum | Sports Forum | Teen Forum | Webmaster Forum