Irish ministers back Cowen to succeed PM Ahern

By Andras Gergely

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish Finance Minister Brian Cowen received support on Thursday from more than half the cabinet ministers in his Fianna Fail party to succeed Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, who has said he will resign on May 6.

Cowen has long been seen as the most likely next leader of the party that has governed Ireland for 11 years, and as a safe pair of hands to guide the economy through a period of sharply slowing growth after a decade of spectacular development.

Six fellow ministers went on the record on Thursday to back Cowen, saying they trusted the 48-year-old former foreign minister who is already in his sixth cabinet post to represent Ireland on the international stage as well.

If elected by fellow deputies, Cowen's most pressing task will be to secure a "yes" vote in a referendum expected on June 12, when Irish voters will determine the fate of the European Union's reform treaty.

EU Affairs Minister Dick Roche pointed to Cowen's experience in running EU summits and his contribution towards the Northern Ireland peace process, seen as Ahern's most lasting legacy.

"Brian Cowen is without doubt the brightest mind in Dail Eireann (lower house of parliament)," Roche said.

But despite his sharp intelligence Cowen has also been saddled with the nickname "Biffo" which stands for big ignorant fellow from Offaly although invariably the word fellow is replaced with an expletive.

The nickname in part reflects his large physical presence although it may also have been born of the fact that in stark contrast to Ahern's man-of-the-people image, Cowen can often appear dour, grumpy and disinterested.