Published: Friday, 20th August, 2010 4:25pm

Taoiseach Cowen is fifth best leader - report

by Danielle Harney

Taoiseach Brian Cowen has been named as the fifth best leader in the world according to an American magazine.

The Newsweek article described Mr Cowen as the "fiscal taskmaster" in their top ten countdown of the world's top leaders.

Although the magazine points out that the banking crisis, unemployment and rising emigration has staggered our "once-roaring economy", Mr Cowen and his able Finance Minister Brian Lenihan are "prescribing harsh medicine".

The authors said their austerity packages have won the admiration of the international community - but "the Irish aren't showing much gratitude".

They point out that Cowen's ratings have plunged to 18% and predict a drubbing for Fianna Fáil in the next general election.

But all in all, Newsweek remained upbeat about the future pointing to economic modest growth so far this year and consumer confidence being on the rise.

The list also includes UK Prime Minister David Cameron, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah. There was only one woman on the list, President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The article can be found at www.newsweek.com/2010/08/16/go-to-the-head-of-the-class.html

Meanwhile, following the acclaim for Mr Cowen in Newsweek, Paddy Power is taking bets on what honour will next be afforded to Offaly's finest son, including a statue being erected in his honour in Dublin.

They're giving odds of 20/1 for Mr Cowen to be granted the freedom of Offaly and 50/1 for a statue in his honour to be erected on Dublin's O'Connell Street.

However, it's just 3/1 for the Taoiseach to guest lecture at Harvard Business School and 10/1 to appear on the cover of Time Magazine.

Other potential accolades on the bookies' shortlist include an appointment as President of the Vintners Federation of Ireland at 100/1, an appearance on Dragons Den at 200/1, and Brian Cowen Day becoming a national holiday at 250/1.

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