Ireland's Cowen losing support amid financial crisis

Ireland's Cowen losing support amid financial crisis: "Ireland, whose economic woes are riling global markets, may be facing the prospect of yet another problem: a political crisis.
Prime Minister Brian Cowen's rapidly draining support at home comes as Ireland is closing in on a multibillion-euro bailout with the International Monetary Fund and the European Union. Amid signs that its hard-hit banks are losing deposits and may need a fresh lifeline that the cash-strapped government cannot afford, Irish officials began rescue talks in Dublin on Thursday with an emergency team of IMF, E.U. and European Central Bank negotiators.
At the same time, Cowen is sustaining blistering attacks from the opposition, as well as from some of his own backers, who are charging him with mishandling the crisis and misleading the nation about pending international aid. Observers said it was uncertain whether his governing coalition, with the slimmest of majorities in parliament, could muster enough support to win a key vote on new austerity measures over the next two weeks. Its failure, analysts say, could bring down the government and complicate any bailout deal."