Voters across the Republic of Ireland are gearing up to cast their ballots in a general election later this month. Prime Minister Simon Harris announced on Friday afternoon that he would dissolve the Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish Parliament, and set the election date for November 29. This decision puts an end to months of speculation regarding the election timeline.
The election must take place before the current coalition government’s five-year mandate concludes in March 2025. With Mr. Harris’s center-right party, Fine Gael, experiencing a resurgence in public support according to recent polls, the timing of this announcement has come as a predictable development for those closely monitoring Irish politics. As the nation, home to approximately 5.2 million people, enters a brief but intense three-week campaign period, here’s what to keep in mind.
A Guide to Ireland’s Election
- Who are the main candidates and parties?
- What key issues will influence voters’ decisions?
- When can we expect to see the election results?
Who are the main candidates and parties?
Since gaining independence from British rule just over a century ago, the political landscape of Ireland has predominantly been shaped by two major center-right parties: Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. In the last election held in February 2020, Fianna Fáil emerged as the party with the highest number of parliamentary seats, though it did not achieve an outright majority.
In a surprising turn of events, Sinn Féin, a left-wing nationalist party, experienced a significant increase in support, capturing the most votes among the populace and securing the second-highest number of seats in the Dáil. This shift in voter sentiment positioned Sinn Féin ahead of the governing Fine Gael party, which was previously led by Leo Varadkar.
