Leo: There could still be a 2019 election...
Taoiseach’s warning despite FF pact
LEO Varadkar will not rule out an election next year – despite signing up for another confidence and supply deal with Fianna Fail.
The Taoiseach said “circumstances could arise” that could diminish his wafer-thin majority and trigger a poll.
He insisted he had no plans to call an election but “I can’t give an absolute guarantee”.
Mr Varadkar added: “The situation is we’ve agreed there won’t be an election, given the uncertainty around Brexit, and that with Fianna Fail we will try to negotiate another budget.
“There’s always the possibility we won’t be able to negotiate that budget but we’ve negotiated three and I’d be confident that we could negotiate four.
“So my plan is to focus on getting the job done – on securing the withdrawal agreement, if we can’t, managing a no-deal scenario, facing obviously into European and local elections in May and getting on with the business of government.
“So I’m not making any plans to call an election by any means [but] you
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know, circumstances may arise. You know, what I sought was that we agree an election date in 2020.
“Fianna Fail decided not to accept that and proposed we negotiate one more budget.
“But we could lose members from the Government, we’re losing a number of votes at the moment even with Fianna Fail abstaining, so if I got into a position where we weren’t able to get our legislative programme through because we lose votes or lose members of our own government or lose members of my own party.
“People might get elected to the European Parliament for example, and that would be a vote gone.
“Sadly politicians on occasion become sick and die so – sorry to be so morbid – the fundamental question when you’re in government is, ‘Are you able to govern?, are you able to implement your policies to the benefit of the Irish people?’.
The current term has already seen high-profile resignations such as Minister Denis Naughten last month.
We’ll try to negotiate a budget..but I can’t give an absolute guarantee LEO VARADKAR