The Republic of Ireland’s Green Party is pulling out of the ruling coalition, a move expected to bring forward the general election from 11 March.
The party’s announcement, after a meeting in Dublin, follows a decision on Saturday by PM Brian Cowen to quit as leader of his Fianna Fail party.
Mr Cowen had said he would stay on as PM until the election, a move opponents had described as “farcical”.
The Greens’ decision removes the ruling coalition’s two-seat majority.
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