Ireland's Kenny loses parliamentary vote for prime minister

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny pauses before speaking to the media at the general election count centre in Castlebar, Ireland February 27, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Enda Kenny lost a parliamentary vote to re-elect him as Irish prime minister on Thursday, as expected, and will assume the role in a caretaker capacity while his Fine Gael party attempts to form a new government.

Ireland has become one of several euro zone countries facing a prolonged political stalemate following its inconclusive parliamentary election on Feb. 26. Senior Irish ministers say it could take weeks to break the deadlock.