Kenny, Enda
Kenny, Enda
(ĕn`dä), 1951–, Irish politician. After teaching primary school, he was elected to the Irish parliament in 1975, winning his late father's seat and becoming the body's youngest member. A member of the Fine GaelFine Gael, Irish political party. Formed in 1933, it was the successor of the party founded by William Cosgrave that held power from the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 until ousted by the republican Fianna Fáil in 1932.
..... Click the link for more information. party, he served as minister of tourism and trade (1994–97) under Prime Minister BrutonBruton, John
, 1947–, Irish politician, b. Dublin. A lawyer and farm owner, he is a member of the centrist Fine Gael party. Bruton was first elected to the Irish parliament in 1969 and during the 1970s served as a junior minister.
..... Click the link for more information. . Kenny became party leader in 2002 and set about rebuilding Fine Gael. After Fine Gael won a large plurality in 2011, Kenny formed a coalition government with the Labour party and became prime minister. He also served as acting defense minister in 2014. With the acquiescence of Fianna FáilFianna Fáil
, Irish political party, organized in 1926 by opponents of the Anglo-Irish treaty of 1921 establishing the Irish Free State and setting up Northern Ireland as part of the United Kingdom.
..... Click the link for more information. , Kenny remained prime minister after Fine Gael narrowly held onto a plurality despite significant losses in 2016, but he stepped down as party leader and prime minister in 2017. He was succeeded by Leo Varadkar.