#IRELAND: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Agree On Coalition Government

[world politics news]

Sinn Féin will provide “the most effective opposition in the history of this State”, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Speaking after the emergence of the draft plan for a coalition government, she described the document as “very long, very wordy” and said the content was “vague”.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael back in government together, that’s not change.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

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#IRELAND: Sinn Féin Makes Dramatic Advance In Election; But Forming Gov't Will Be Difficult

[world politics news]

In Ireland's national election this past weekend, the Sinn Féin Party, with overwhelming support from the youth vote and dissatisfaction with the government over housing shortage, did better than it ever has; while the two major parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, came up short in the popular vote count, which is still ongoing.

Fianna Fáil will likely retain the largest number of seats in the Díal, the nation's parliament, and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar retained his seat, but it's unclear whether he will remain the party's leader after the election results are tallied.

Sinn Fein will find it difficult to form a government in the Díal. A party will need 80 seats in order to form a government without a coalition. Sinn Fein only fielded 46 candidates in Saturday's election, however.

Sinn Féin party officials say their best hope is to seek partners in other left-leaning parties.

Fianna Fáil officials campaigned on not forming a coalition with any other party, especially Sinn Féin, but even with only partial results in, officials reportedly are softening their position on a coalition with Sinn Féin.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Fianna Fáil And Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party Announce "Partnership"

[world politics news]

Ireland's Fianna Fáil Party and Northern Ireland's Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) have announced a "policy partnership" that stops just short of a full merger between the cross-border parties.

SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood says there will be a program of public engagement and common policy proposals put forward on economic development, Irish unity, Brexit, education, health, and housing. The SDLP party platform advocates Irish reunification, and the further devolution of powers while Northern Ireland remains part of the United Kingdom. The two parties won't be putting forward joint candidates in May’s local elections in Northern Ireland.

Pictured: Colum Eastwood of the SDLP and Micheal Martin of Fianna Fáil

[FULL STORY HERE AND HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Taoiseach Varadkar Polling High At 60% In Latest IPSOS Survey

[world politics news]

The soaring satisfaction rating of Taoiseach [President] Leo Varadkar, in a Times/Ipsos MRBI poll, is evidence of the dramatic impact he has had on Irish politics since his accession to the leadership last summer. Varadkar is polling at 60%, far higher than his predecessor had ever polled, and his party, Fine Gael, is polling well, too, at  34%, ahead of its closest rival, Fianna Fáil, which is at 25%.

[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRELAND: Head Of Fine Gael Pty Criticized By His Party For Saying Sinn Féin Coalition "Unlikely"

[world politics news]

Ireland's head of government (Taoiseach) and leader of the Fine Gael Party is taking heat for suggesting that a coalition government with Sinn Féin would be unlikely "in  the near future." Officials in his own party said such an unlikely coalition wasn't impossible, however, and some took him to task for even speculating, one legislator pointing out that since Kenny won't lead Fine Gael into the next election, he wouldn't be involved in any coalition talks. Others said his comments were justified considering that his party's ruled out a coalition with the Fianna Fáil Party.


[FULL STORY HERE]

#IRELAND: Polling Shows Sharp Drop For Fianna Fáil Party

[world politics news]

A new opinion poll suggests a sharp drop in support for Fianna Fáil, with the party now tied with the governing Fine Gael Party as the most popular party. The Ipsos/MRBI poll for The Irish Times indicates that support for the party is down seven percentage points to 26% since the last survey in July. The survey, when undecideds were excluded, shows a two point increase for Fine Gael to 26% and a three point gain for Sinn Féin to 19%. The Labour Party remained unchanged at 5%.

[FULL STORY HERE]

Pictured: Government buildings, via Wikimedia Commons

#IRELAND: Parties Remain Unable To Form Coalition Gov't After Feb. 26th Election

[world politics news]

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are facing into a week of further contacts with smaller parties and Independent members of parliament (The Dail) to assess the possibility of forming a government. Since the failure of parliamentarians to elect a new Taoiseach when the 32nd Dáil convened for its first session last week, no grouping has yet presented itself as capable of commanding a majority in the House.

Pictured: Party Leaders Micheál Martin and Enda Kenny, who are holding talks with all interested in forming a government.

#IRELAND: Fianna Fail Pity Ldr Positions Pty "A Little Bit To The Left; Criticizes US-Style Taxation

[world politics news]

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has sought to position his party “a bit to the left” ahead of the general election, and criticised Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s Fine Gael Party's plans for United States levels of personal taxation.

#IRELAND: Fianna Fáil Ldr Calls Sinn Féin "Unfit" For Gov't; Is Exploiting 1916 Rising Anniv.

[world politics news]

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin has attacked Sinn Féin, saying the party's engaged “in a deeply sinister attempt to misuse the respect which the Irish people have" for the 1916 Rising that established the Republic. He also claimed Sinn Féin "remains unfit for participation in a democratic republican government."

#IRELAND: Senator Faces Expulsion From Party For Opposing Gay Adoption Bill

[world politics news]

Fianna Fáil Party Senator Jim Walsh is likely to lose his position as party whip and be expelled from the parliamentary party over his opposition to 36 provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Bill, which includes extending adoption  rights to same-sex couples.

#IRELAND: House Speaker Faces "No Confidence" Vote After Voicing Public Complaints

[world politics news]

Dáil Speaker Seán Barrett may face a no confidence vote after accusing Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin parties of trying to undermine his position, after he ruled a debate "out of order." Barrett complained of the parties' actions on a radio program. Barrett's statement Tuesday failed to placate the parties.

#IRELAND: Senator Warns: Paper Publishing Political Poll "Could Influence" Outcome of Elections

[world politics news]

Fianna Fáil Party Senator Terry Leyden criticised The Irish Times for publishing a political opinion poll so close to the two byelections taking place tomorrow. The poll doesn't mention the two districts in contention, but says party support nationally has dropped five points. He says the "Unhelpful" survey "it could influence the outcome of the byelection."

Link to the poll is here.