Irish Prime Minister Kenny re-elected after 70-day deadlock

Newly elected Prime Minister Enda Kenny, right, receives the Seal of the Taoiseach and Seal of Government from President Michael D. Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin, Friday, May 6, 2016. Prime Minister Enda Kenny won narrow re-election Friday on his fourth attempt, ending 70 days of deadlock caused by an inconclusive election and clearing the way for formation of an exceptionally fragile minority government. (Brian Lawless/PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT - NO SALES - NO ARCHIVES (The Associated Press)

Newly elected Prime Minister Enda Kenny greets supporters as he leaves Leinster House, Dublin, to go to Aras an Uachtarain, the official residence of the President of Ireland, to receive the Seal of the Taoiseach and Seal of Government, Friday May 6, 2016. Prime Minister Enda Kenny won narrow re-election Friday on his fourth attempt, ending 70 days of deadlock caused by an inconclusive election and clearing the way for formation of an exceptionally fragile minority government. (PA via AP) UNITED KINGDOM OUT (The Associated Press)

Ireland's lawmakers have narrowly re-elected Enda Kenny as prime minister, ending 70 days of deadlock following an inconclusive election.

Kenny received 59 votes, with 49 against, in Ireland's 158-member parliament. His minority government — rare in Irish politics — will survive only with support from the main opposition Fianna Fail party, which abstained Friday.

Kenny struggled to forge a new coalition after his Fine Gael party retained just 50 seats in the Feb. 26 election. Left-wing Labour, Kenny's previous partner in his 5-year-old government, suffered devastating losses.

To achieve Friday's breakthrough, Fine Gael won Fianna Fail backing for a compromise program of government, and cut separate policy deals with independent lawmakers, three of whom will gain Cabinet posts. Labour leader Joan Burton called it "a deeply flawed arrangement."