Leadership challenge to Kenny not before spring
A LEADERSHIP challenge against Enda Kenny won’t happen until the spring, a Fine Gael insider revealed.
And it could result in a bitter power struggle, especially if the Taoiseach refuses to go quietly.
Weekend reports said Social Protection Minister Leo Varadkar had gathered the support of 30 TDS who see him as the ideal successor. But a party source yesterday described the move as “premature” and said no senior Fine Gael figures were involved in the push.
They told the Irish Mirror: “It strikes me as premature really.
“I think if you look at the TDS involved they’re all second termers, they have no ministerial responsibilities. I don’t think there’s any immediate demand for a leadership contest.
“I think it will be next year, maybe in March or April before we see any real movement on that.”
Mr Kenny recently stated his desire to remain as Taoiseach until 2018 at least, but it looks increasingly unlikely he will last that long. Fears are growing within Fine Gael that arch rivals Fianna Fail will easily win the next election. With Michael Martin’s party steadily gaining ground, many in Fine Gael believe a change in leadership is needed if they are to compete at the polls next time around.
The source said: “There’s probably going to be an election in the next two years – and Fine Gael will be counting on a bounce from the change in leadership for that.”