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M. Continuo

Irish deputy PM quits as party leader after poll rout


    DUBLIN (Reuters) - Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore on Monday announced his intention to resign as leader of the Labour Party, the junior partner in the coalition government, after a poor showing at weekend elections.

    Gilmore faced a motion of no confidence in his leadership from a number of members of the parliamentary party after it captured just 7 percent of seats at local elections, compared with 19 percent at parliamentary elections three years ago.

    "I believe the work in renewing the party is best done under new leadership," Gilmore told a news conference, adding that he would step down once his successor was elected.

    (Reporting by Padraic Halpin and Sam Cage; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)