Sinn Fein works to form a ‘people’s government’ after election success
SINN FEIN will work to form a “people’s government” voters can relate to after making historic gains in the Irish General Election, leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.
The party emerged as the most popular in Ireland in national elections, securing the most first preference votes and topping the polls in the vast majority of constituencies across a state previously dominated by two other large parties.
Sinn Fein received 24.5 per cent of the vote share on first preference, Fianna Fail got 22.2 per cent and Fine Gael 20.9 per cent.
But a senior Fianna Fail politician has described any mooted coalition government with Sinn Fein as untenable.
Jim O’Callaghan also insisted his party leader, Micheal Martin, had not softened his stance on ruling out the party as coalition partners.
And it could be months before a Government is formed, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said.
Mrs McDonald said: “We want to talk to anyone who is interested in delivering a programme for government.
“That is about getting to grips with the housing crisis and solving it, getting to grips with the crisis in health and giving families and workers a break and giving a new lease of life to government.
“A government that people relate to, that is in tune with the realities of people’s day-to-day lives, not one that is aloof and adrift from the experiences of citizens.”
Fianna Fail remains best placed to secure the most seats, primarily due to Sinn Fein’s failure to field enough candidates to capitalise on its unexpected surge at the polls. Fine Gael looks like being the big loser and will concede several high profileseats.
Its Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said: “It is clear that no political party in our country has a monopoly on representing the people of Ireland.”
None of the parties will come close to securing enough seats to achieve a majority in the Dail parliament.
Sinn Fein has been left to rue its decision to run half the number of candidates of its two main rivals.
That will see a significant number of Sinn Fein surplus votes being transferred to other parties.
No political party in our country has a monopoly. Paschal Donohoe, Fine Gael Finance Minister.