(CNN) -- Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen fights Tuesday to hang onto his job, as members of his party vote on whether he should lead them into the next election.
He announced Sunday that he was putting himself up for a confidence vote in the face of widespread Irish anger at his decision to seek an international financial bailout.
Finance Minister Brian Lenihan announced Tuesday he would support Cowen, a key boost after Foreign Minister Michael Martin said Sunday he would not.
Cowen is "the only person to lead Fianna Fail into the election," Lenihan told Irish state broadcaster RTE.
Cowen said Sunday that he wants to keep his post and seek re-election.
After consultations with his party colleagues, "I've come to the conclusion that I should continue to lead the party," he said at a news conference, adding that he believes the decision is in the best interests of the country and "not motivated by personal ambition".
His party, Fianna Fail, will take the confidence vote by secret ballot, he said.
He vowed that his party will "unite behind whatever decision is taken".
Foreign Affairs Minister Martin said shortly afterwards that he would vote against Cowen on Tuesday and that he had offered his resignation.
The prime minister, however, did not accept his offer, Martin said. He will continue for now in his job as foreign affairs minister, a position he's held since 2008.
"I will, in accordance with my views, be voting against the motion of confidence," Martin said. "I have reluctantly concluded that, in these circumstances, Fianna Fail should change its leader before the election".
Ireland's next elections are due to take place over the next few months.
Cowen has become a lightning rod for controversy, largely for his leadership in the economic crisis the country is facing.
Ireland accepted an 85 billion euro (U.S. $113 billion) bailout package last month from the European Union, International Monetary Fund and individual European nations.
Cowen requested the loan in November after days of insisting Ireland did not need help.
The goal of the aid, the Fianna Fail party said, is to return the nation's economy to sustainable growth and restore the health of its banking system.
A related four-year government austerity plan achieves savings through welfare cuts worth 10 billion euros ($13.2 billion) and higher taxes, expected to bring in 5 billion ($6.6 billion).
Ireland also unveiled a tough new budget, changing the income tax system, raising taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel and reducing benefits for parents.
Dublin is cutting 6 billion euros (nearly $8 billion) from its budget as it tries to claw its way out of massive debt. CNN
