Micheál Martin became Ireland’s taoiseach (prime minister) for the second time in his political career on Thursday, a day later than planned.

Ireland's Micheál Martin was elected prime minister for the second time by a coalition of the country's two large centre-right parties and independents on Thursday, and set himself the task of warding off threats arising from Donald Trump's return as U.

Ireland’s parliament has succeeded in electing Micheál Martin as Taoiseach after a delay caused by unprecedented chaos in the chamber, kicking off a new government bracing for US trade challenges. The centrist Fianna Fáil leader’s coalition is preparing an “all-out diplomatic and trade offensive” to persuade US President Donald Trump to back off from his tax and tariff threats against the EU country where many large US technology and pharmaceutical companies are based.

Micheal Martin, leader of Ireland’s Fianna Fail party, was voted in as prime minister on Thursday after an election in November that saw the main incumbent coalition partners return to power.

The Irish parliament on Thursday backed Micheal Martin to become the country's next taoiseach or prime minister, a day after a bitter row had delayed the vote.