What's happened
Following the recent election, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are set to form a coalition government, having secured 46 and 38 seats respectively. Sinn Fein, despite a strong showing, is excluded from negotiations. The new government will face pressing issues like housing and immigration.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to the South China Morning Post, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's coalition is a continuation of their historical dominance, with both parties needing to negotiate with independents for a stable majority. The Independent highlights Sinn Fein's significant seat gain but notes their exclusion from government talks due to longstanding rivalries. Bloomberg emphasizes the urgency of coalition talks, given the pressing social issues the new government will face, particularly in housing and immigration. These perspectives illustrate the complex political landscape in Ireland, where traditional party lines are being tested by emerging social challenges.
How we got here
The election results on December 1, 2024, saw Fianna Fail and Fine Gael maintain their positions despite a global trend of anti-incumbent sentiment. Sinn Fein's decline in support has shaped the coalition landscape.
More on these topics
-
Fine Gael is a liberal-conservative political party in Ireland. Fine Gael is currently the third-largest party in Ireland in terms of members of Dáil Éireann and largest in terms of Irish members of the European Parliament.
-
Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea, and St George's Channel.
-
Sinn Féin is a centre-left to left-wing Irish republican political party active in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
-
Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland. Situated on a bay on the east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey, it lies within the province of Leinster. It is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, a part of the Wicklow Mountains range.
-
Simon Harris is an Irish Fine Gael politician who has served as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science since June 2020. He has been a Teachta Dála for the Wicklow constituency since 2011.
-
Micheál Martin is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as Taoiseach since June 2020, and Leader of Fianna Fáil since 2011.
-
Northern Ireland is variously described as a country, province or region which is part of the United Kingdom. Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland.