Ireland’s General Election: A Tight Race Between Incumbent Parties and Opposition
DUBLIN: Ireland goes to the polls on Friday with the incumbent coalition parties neck-and-neck with opposition party Sinn Fein after a campaign marked by rancour over housing and cost-of-living crises.
Polling and Counting
Polls open across the country at 7am and close at 10pm as voters choose new members of the 174-seat lower chamber of parliament, the Dail, in Dublin. Counting is not due to start until Saturday morning, with partial results expected throughout the day. A final result, however, may not be clear for days as Ireland’s proportional representation system sees votes of eliminated candidates redistributed during multiple rounds of counting.
Party Positions and Polls
Final opinion polling put the three main parties – centre-right Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, and the leftist-nationalist Sinn Fein – each on around 20%. Fine Gael, whose leader Simon Harris called a snap election earlier this month, held a solid lead entering the campaign. However, the party has lost its advantage after a viral clip of Harris in which he appeared rude and dismissive to a care worker on the campaign trail went viral.
Sinn Fein’s Rise and Challenges
At the last general election in 2020, Sinn Fein – the former political wing of the paramilitary Irish Republican Army – won the popular vote but could not find willing coalition partners. That led to weeks of horse-trading, ending up with Fine Gael, which has been in power since 2011, agreeing a deal with Fianna Fail, led by the experienced Micheal Martin, 64. Sinn Fein has seen a dip in support because of its progressive stance on social issues and migration policy, as immigration became a key election issue. Yet, it has rallied on the back of a campaign heavily focused on housing policy and claims it is the only alternative to the Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, who have swapped power since Irish independence from the UK in 1921.
Housing Crisis and Cost of Living
The campaign has been marked by rancour over the housing crisis and cost-of-living issues. Harris has had to defend the government’s patchy record on tackling a worsening housing crisis and fend off accusations of profligate public spending. A giveaway budget last month was also aimed at appeasing voters fretting about sky-high housing and childcare costs. Both centre-right parties stress their pro-business credentials and say returning them to power would ensure stability, particularly with turmoil abroad and the risk of external shocks.
Independents and the Future of Government
Independents from across the political spectrum together poll around 20% and could play a role in the formation of the next government if Fine Gael and Fianna Fail fall short of an 88-seat majority.
Conclusion
The outcome of Ireland’s general election is far from clear, with multiple factors at play. The campaign has been marked by controversy, with Fine Gael’s leader Simon Harris facing criticism over a viral clip of him appearing rude and dismissive to a care worker. Sinn Fein has rallied on the back of its housing policy and claims it is the only alternative to the two main parties. The result may not be clear for days as counting continues, but one thing is certain – the next government will have a significant impact on Ireland’s future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When do polls open and close in Ireland’s general election?
A: Polls open at 7am and close at 10pm on Friday.
Q: How many seats are up for grabs in the election?
A: 174 seats are available in the lower chamber of parliament, the Dail.
Q: What is the current makeup of the government?
A: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have been in power since 2011, with the smaller Green Party making up the governing coalition.
Q: What is the main issue dominating the campaign?
A: The housing crisis and cost-of-living issues are central to the campaign, with both centre-right parties facing criticism over their handling of the crisis.