Deep concessions, near-scuffle signal dysfunction ahead as McCarthy wins US Speaker post

WASHINGTON - The United States House of Representatives

elected Republican Kevin McCarthy as Speaker

early on Saturday morning, ending a four-day stalemate triggered by a mutiny staged by hardliners in his own party.

But the narrowness of Mr McCarthy’s victory, and the gruelling negotiations and extensive concessions he had to make to get there, signalled a worrying two years of political dysfunction for Washington.