June elections add spice to Cowen’s complex problems

FIANNA FÁIL is in huge trouble on two fronts. The economy is rapidly going downhill. And the party needs an urgent solution to the Lisbon treaty dilemma.

Tackling both problems will involve taking unpopular decisions, which would be fine if there weren’t elections looming. But the countdown is on for the local and European elections next June. And, most probably, resolving Lisbon will involve some kind of a second referendum.

Which is why Fianna Fáil desperately needs voters on its side right now. But how do you win public support for spending cuts and a desperately misunderstood treaty? The first part of the answer to that question came in the shape of Brian Cowen’s speech yesterday.