Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris Announces General Election Plans
On Tuesday, Simon Harris, the Prime Minister of Ireland, officially revealed his intention to call a general election by the end of the week, putting an end to months of speculation regarding the election’s timing. In Ireland, the law mandates that only 18 days’ notice is required before an election can be convened, with polling typically occurring on a Thursday or Friday. Many political analysts predict that the vote will take place by the end of this month.
“I do intend to seek a dissolution of the Dáil this week,” Mr. Harris stated, referring to the national legislature, as he addressed reporters outside government buildings. “I don’t think that will come as a shock to any person right across this country.”
The election must occur before March 2025, marking the end of the government’s five-year term. However, Mr. Harris had previously indicated a desire for the election to be held before the year’s conclusion. His center-right party, Fine Gael, has recently gained renewed support, bouncing back after a prolonged period of struggling in opinion polls.
At just 38 years old, Mr. Harris is the youngest Taoiseach, or Prime Minister, in Ireland’s history. He assumed leadership of Fine Gael only six months ago, taking over from Leo Varadkar. Mr. Varadkar’s unexpected resignation in March came as support for the party had stagnated, prompting speculation that he recognized the need for fresh leadership as the party approached the upcoming election.
Many observers had anticipated that Sinn Féin, the left-wing nationalist party that topped the popular vote in the 2020 election, might secure enough seats to establish a majority government in the next election. This expectation stems from a noticeable decline in support for traditional parties. A cost-of-living crisis and a severe housing shortage have drawn public ire towards the two main parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, which formed an unlikely coalition alongside the Greens following the 2020 general election.
While Sinn Féin experienced a surge in popularity in 2020, it fell short of winning sufficient seats to form a government. The party had long been marginalized from mainstream Irish politics due to its historical connections with sectarian violence, being the political wing of the Irish Republican Army. However, in recent years, it has emerged as a viable alternative for many younger voters disenchanted with the establishment parties.
In the brief time since Mr. Harris has taken the reins of government, Fine Gael’s fortunes have significantly improved, transitioning from a phase of diminished support to a more favorable standing. According to the latest opinion poll conducted by the Sunday Independent, Fine Gael now leads with 26 percent of public support, followed closely by Fianna Fáil at 20 percent, while Sinn Féin’s popularity has dipped to 18 percent.
