By Tony O’Riley-
Voting is under way in Ireland in one of the most unpredictable elections in years. The country is having its first Saturday General Election for more than a century with a Storm threat underway.
Sinn Fein is on course to challenge the 90-year duopoly of the state’s two main parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar faces a difficult battle to hang on to power, with recent polls putting his party in third place.
Polls suggest that Sinn Féin is on course to win 25% of the votes cast, compared with 24% for Fianna Fáil and 20% for Fine Gael, the two center-right parties that have taken turns in governing Ireland since it gained independence from the U.K. in 1922.
Sinn Féin has managed to extend his reach along the border between Ireland and Northern Ireland, finding voters in poorer parts of Dublin and the countryside. The problem he faces is that even if his party wins the largest number of votes, it is unlikely to be part of the next government, because no other large party is willing to join it in a coalition.
TEMPESTUOUS
Voters head to the polls in Ireland after a tempestuous general election campaign during which Sinn Féin has surged into contention as a potential party of government. In the last major survey of the electorate before polling day, Sinn Fein was leading the popularity stakes on 25%, with Fianna Fail second on 23% and Mr Varadkar’s party on 20%.
None of the two parties is expected to reach the 80-seat threshold to enable it to govern on its own, and a coalition administration of some complexion is almost inevitable.
COUNTING
Counting will begin on Sunday in all 39 constituencies. Newly elected TDs will gather on 20 February for the 33rd Dáil (Irish parliament). A total of 160 representatives will be returned to the Dáil. The ceann comhairle, or speaker, is automatically re-elected. Ireland is one of Europe’s fastest growing economies and there is concern that a so-called “bare bones Brexit deal” could significantly disrupt Irish industry.
Image: PA