The Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern, has announced he is stepping down and will leave office on May 6th.

The news came as a surprise to most people, including Mr. Ahern's own Cabinet colleagues. Deputy Prime Minister, Brian Cowen, was the only Minister who was told of Mr Ahern's plans in advance. Mr Cowan is now the strong favourite to succeed the Prime Minister when Fianna Fáil elect their new leader. It is rumoured that he may even be elected unopposed.

Mr Ahern made his announcement at a press conference held at Government Buildings. He said his decision to go was “solely motivated by what is best for the people.”

In recent years Mr Ahern has been the focus of sleaze allegations centring on a series of allegedly secret payments that he received from businessmen in the 1990s. For over ten years the Mahon Tribunal has investigated these allegations although Mr Ahern has always denied any wrong-doing.

Mr Ahern said that while recent developments in the tribunal had not motivated his decision, the constant barrage of commentary on tribunal-related matters had begun to dominate the political agenda at an important point for the country and would continue to do so while he remained in office.

Enda Kenny, Leader of the Opposition party Fine Gael, said he welcomed the decision but paid tribute to the role Mr Ahern had played in the search for peace in Northern Ireland.

The article Irish Prime Minister Resigns originally appeared on 999 Today