Dublin: Ireland`s Green party said Sunday it was pulling out of Prime Minister Brian Cowen`s coalition government, in a move likely to spark elections even earlier than those planned for March 11.
Green party leader John Gormley told a press conference in Dublin that "our patience has reached an end" after a week of political turmoil that resulted in Cowen quitting as leader of his ruling Fianna Fail party on Saturday.
However, he said his six lawmakers would support a finance bill considered vital to securing a 67-billion-euro (90-billion-dollar) international bailout agreed with the European Union and International Monetary Fund in November.
"For a very long time we in the Green party have stood back in the hope that Fianna Fail could resolve persistent doubts about their party leadership," Gormley told reporters after hours of talks with his party.
"A definitive resolution of this has not yet been possible and our patience has reached an end.
"Because of these continuing doubts, the lack of communication and the breakdown in trust we have decided that we can no longer continue in government.
"We will remain true to our promise to support the finance bill from the opposition benches with the promised co-operation of the opposition parties."
He suggested the passage of the finance bill "may not be possible" in the timetable suggested by the opposition Fine Gael and Labour parties, who want it agreed this week in time for an election to be called on Friday.
But he said: "We also hope that the Fianna Fail party will make every effort to fast-track this legislation."
Bureau Report
