Two Irish parties agree on coalition

By Compiled From Wire Service Dispatches With Analysis From Monitor Correspondents Around The World; Edited By Anne Collier

December 14, 1982

Dublin

Ireland's Fine Gael and Labour Parties agreed to give the country its first majority government in 18 months.

Approval of a center-left coalition by both parties assured the Fine Gael leader, Dr. Garret FitzGerald, of the votes he needed to become prime minister when a newly elected parliament assembles today (Dec. 14). Mr. FitzGerald, who led an earlier coalition with Labour for seven months, takes over from Fianna Fail's Charles Haughey.