Haughey gains clear track to return as Irish premier

Irish opposition leader Charles Haughey fought off a bid inside his Fianna Fail party to replace him and emerged the clear favorite to be the next prime minister on March 9.

At an earlier meeting of Fianna Fail's 81 deputies, a bid to replace him with former Cabinet minister Desmond O'Malley collapsed. Mr. Haughey, who was replaced by Garret FitzGerald as prime minister, said Thursday the deputies unanimously reelected him leader without dissent.