Irish government enters stalemate

Ireland’s Fine Gael party leader Leo Varadkar has formally resigned as prime minister after Ireland’s parliament entered a stalemate over the choice of a new leader.
Local media reported that none of the candidates nominated by the four largest political parties won the minimum required quota of the votes from all the 160 members of the lower house, who participated in the voting.
Fianna Fáil won the most seats in the general election on 8 February, with Sinn Féin, the former political wing of the IRA, closely behind. Sinn Féin secured the most votes, but its total of 37 seats is one fewer than Fianna Fáil’s 38 seats in the parliament.
Sinn Féin managed to successfully win the voters’ sympathies, promising to address the shortage of housing, rocketing rents and homelessness crisis, issues that Fine Gael was criticized for not solving.
However, Fianna Fáil’s leader, Micheál Martin, said that they will not work with the left-wing nationalist Sinn Féin, because of the party’s links to the IRA.
Varadkar will continue to serve as Taoiseach in a caretaker capacity until a new leader is appointed. His administration will avoid major policy decisions, financial allocations and public appointments “unless absolutely necessary”. If no government can be formed, a second general election will be called.