Varadkar ‘will be ousted’ if he pushes for coalition with Sinn Féin
IF THE Taoiseach tries to build a coalition with Sinn Féin there will be a march on Simon Coveney’s office to ‘demand Leo Varadkar’s head’, Government insiders have warned.
Mr Varadkar’s increasingly warm relations with Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has increased speculation that what initially seemed to be an olive branch is fast becoming a political courtship. However, Business Minister Heather Humphreys strongly dismissed any prospect of such a coalition, saying ‘oil and water don’t mix’. ‘If we had applied one of their economic policies, the Irish economy would be worse than Greece,’ she said. ‘How can we contemplate coalition with a party that still has such a journey to travel from the North’s conflict?’
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan also sharply ruled out coalition, saying ‘fundamental differences’ exist. Such is the opposition within Fine Gael, Mr Varadkar has been warned that his leadership would be at risk should he try to finagle his way into a Fine Gael/Sinn Féin coalition.
‘It has been made very clear to Leo that there would be a members’ revolt if any union is mooted,’ said Fine Gael deputy Pat Deering.
Another deputy said: ‘Leo has been told if he flirts with Sinn Féin a decision on this issue will not make it as far as a delegate conference.’