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Brian Cowen to Become Irish Prime Minister
Ireland's Finance Minister Brian Cowen, who will become prime minister next month, has a reputation as a tough, no-nonsense lawmaker with a finely-tuned political antenna.
Cowen, who is also deputy premier, will take over from outgoing Prime Minister Bertie Ahern after becoming the only contender for leadership of the ruling Fianna Fail party when nominations closed on Saturday.

In contrast to the conciliatory Ahern from central Dublin, Cowen, 48, hails from the midlands county of Offaly.

He is widely regarded as a political "bruiser." Combative and tough in parliament, he can appear cantankerous and grumpy across the floor of the house in clashes with opposition lawmakers.

Affable and witty in private, he is popular with his Fianna Fail party's 78 backbench lawmakers.

His first job when he takes over Ireland's 310,000 euro (487,000 dollar) per year top political post will be to spearhead the campaign to deliver a "Yes" vote to the EU's key Lisbon Treaty in a June referendum.

After a decade of unprecedented growth, the country's so-called Celtic Tiger economy is running out of steam, and Cowen will have to be more austere than his predecessor, who was able to cut taxes and boost welfare allowances.

A former lawyer who is married with two daughters, Cowen is a gifted mimic and enjoys breaking into a song over a pint of Guinness.

His nickname is Biffo -- said to stand for "Big Ignorant Fellow From Offaly."

Cowen held the ministries of labour (1992-93), transport (1993-94), health (1997-2000) and foreign affairs (2000-04).

Health proved a difficult political brief for him and Cowen nicknamed the ministry "Angola" because of the number of political landmines he encountered.

In foreign affairs he worked closely with Ahern on E.U. affairs and in brokering the peace deal in Northern Ireland.(AFP)

Beirut, 05 Apr 08, 18:42


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