Ireland is holding a closely contested election, with the two center-right coalition parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, facing strong competition from Sinn Fein, the leftist-nationalist opposition party. Polls indicate that all three parties have roughly 20% support, suggesting that Fine Gael and Fianna Fail could remain in power. The two center-right parties formed a coalition after the inconclusive 2020 election, despite their historical rivalry, opting not to join forces with Sinn Fein due to its past associations with the Irish Republican Army.
The election was called by Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris on November 8, following the announcement of a significant budget surplus, which included €10.5 billion in tax cuts and spending increases. While Fine Gael had led the polls throughout the campaign, their standing dipped after a viral incident where Harris clashed with an angry care worker.
Sinn Fein had led opinion polls for much of 2022 and 2023 but saw a decline in support due to mounting concerns over their liberal stance on immigration. The campaign was heavily influenced by cost-of-living issues, particularly the housing crisis, which has led to skyrocketing rents and property prices.
Despite Ireland’s strong public finances, bolstered by high corporate tax revenues from US multinationals, public frustration over the government’s handling of housing and public services has been a key issue. Ballot counting in Ireland’s 43 constituencies will begin on Saturday morning.
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