DUBLIN, Ireland: Finance Minister Brian Cowen was elected Ireland's new prime minister Wednesday, and he pledged to keep the country on its pro-European course through choppy economic waters.

Cowen won in an 88-76 vote in Dail Eireann, Ireland's parliament. He received support from all three parties in the government of his predecessor, Bertie Ahern, who stepped down Tuesday after 11 years in power.

A downcast-looking Ahern and lawmakers from all parties offered Cowen a standing ovation. Outside parliament, Cowen was mobbed by cheering, singing well-wishers as police escorted him to his prime ministerial Mercedes.

Cowen, 48, immediately reshuffled the Cabinet, appointing new ministers of finance, justice, foreign affairs and several other posts.

During his acceptance speech, Cowen's voice quivered with emotion as he noted that his political career began amid tragedy in 1984 when his lawmaker father, Ber, died of a heart attack. His wife, mother, two brothers and two daughters were watching from the public gallery above.