Thaindian News

Sep 14 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Irish prime minister Brian Cowen has refused the request by the opposition to hold an election before the original date scheduled for 2012. Opposition politicians believe the country’s skyrocketing debts and Cowen’s shortcomings should lead to new elections.

The prime minister’s interview on one of the country’s radio stations led to accusations that he was under the influence of alcohol on that morning or the night before. On the interview questions about the country’s economic challenges were met with often indirect and less than suitable answers.

Cowen later stated that speculation about him being drunk during the interview were absurd when quizzed by a TV journalist. He also stated that the question was inappropriate. The Irish Premier was questioned whether he was drunk or not, and to that he said that, “I’m sorry… absolutely not.”

At a press conference later in the day, Prime Minister Cowen stated that he was saddened that Irish politics had become that cheap.

However an opposition politician, Michael Norman stated that his accusations were not meant to disgrace the Prime Minister, because he spoke very much like a drunk or hangover man when he listened to his radio interview. “There was a feeling this morning that this can’t continue, the game is up,” according to Fine Gael’s Michael Noonan.