{"id":19975,"date":"2024-12-01T08:43:15","date_gmt":"2024-12-01T08:43:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=19975"},"modified":"2024-12-01T08:43:15","modified_gmt":"2024-12-01T08:43:15","slug":"clarity-begins-to-shine-through-in-irish-election-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/?p=19975","title":{"rendered":"Clarity begins to shine through in Irish election weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"\">\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 ejjhCR\">\n<div data-testid=\"hero-image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/a902\/live\/60617060-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp\" alt=\"PA Mich\u00e9al Martin being held up as he celebrates and sticks his two thumbs up to the camera. He is wearing a navy suit, a white shirt and a navy and pink spotted tie.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">Fianna F\u00e1il leader Mich\u00e9al Martin said he believes there is a pathway to government<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">As the Republic of Ireland\u2019s election weekend reached the mid-point, unpredictability began to give way to some clarity.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The most obvious route to a coalition looks to be a combination of the centre right parties who have dominated Irish governments for a century, plus left wing partners.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael grew more optimistic as the counting continued late into Saturday evening.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Following the exit poll, Sinn F\u00e9in had been hopeful that it would repeat its 2020 performance of winning the most first preference votes \u2013 and maybe secure the highest number of seats for the first time.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Neither of those feats are out of the question but party figures seemed to be less keen to play up their chances as the declarations stacked up.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Some analysts are suggesting that Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael could win more than 80 seats between them, putting them close to the finish line of 88 needed for an overall majority.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-518485e5-0 kRvAla\">Coalition talks<!-- --><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/0401\/live\/ca06e130-afb3-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp\" alt=\"Reuters Mary Lou McDonald holding her hand up in the air as she celebrates. She has shoulder length brown hair and is wearing a black blazer with an orange and black scarf.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">Reuters<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald said she wants to open talks<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Sinn F\u00e9in leader Mary Lou McDonald has said she wants to open talks with other left wing parties and independents with a view to forming a coalition.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Of those groups, it appears that Labour and the Social Democrats are in line to make gains.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">However, the Green Party \u2013 which was the third member of the last government \u2013 is facing the possibility of losing all its seats.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Sinn F\u00e9in sources have suggested that the potential wipeout of another junior coalition partner could dissuade left wing parties from going into government with Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael again.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">But it is unlikely that enough left-of-centre politicians will be elected to form an alliance which would produce a workable majority.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><h2 class=\"sc-518485e5-0 kRvAla\">&#8216;Significant role to play&#8217;<!-- --><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div data-component=\"image-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 jFCfG\">\n<div data-testid=\"image\" class=\"sc-a34861b-1 jxzoZC\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"\/bbcx\/grey-placeholder.png\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 cOpVbP hide-when-no-script\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1280px) 50vw, (min-width: 1008px) 66vw, 96vw\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/240\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 240w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/320\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 480w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/640\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 640w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/800\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 800w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1024\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 1024w,https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/1536\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp 1536w\" src=\"https:\/\/ichef.bbci.co.uk\/news\/480\/cpsprodpb\/30d0\/live\/7a20bca0-afb2-11ef-a8f1-f3c660964bed.jpg.webp\" alt=\"PA Mr Harris being held up in the air as he celebrates. He has short grey and black hair, and is wearing a black blazer with a white shirt and a green tie.\" class=\"sc-a34861b-0 efFcac\"\/><span class=\"sc-a34861b-2 fxQYxK\">PA<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><figcaption class=\"sc-8353772e-0 cvNhQw\">Simon Harris of Fine Gael said he expected his party would be involved in coalition talks<!-- --><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<div data-component=\"text-block\" class=\"sc-18fde0d6-0 dlWCEZ\">\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Outgoing Taoiseach (prime minister) Simon Harris, of Fine Gael, has said he expects his party would have a significant role to play in coalition talks.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Fianna F\u00e1il leader Mich\u00e9al Martin has indicated he believes there is a pathway to government.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">However, all parties acknowledge that the margins in the later stages of the counting process can be very small \u2013 and that means there is always some uncertainty until the final results are confirmed.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">If Fianna F\u00e1il and Fine Gael do return to power, it will mean that Ireland has bucked the trend of the vast majority of elections worldwide this year \u2013 by maintaining the status quo.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">There is another story which could become one of the most prominent of this election.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Gerard Hutch is in the running to become a member of parliament.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">Hutch, known as \u201cThe Monk\u201d, was acquitted of a gangland murder 19 months ago \u2013 and arrested for alleged money laundering offences in Spain earlier this year.<!-- --><\/p>\n<p class=\"sc-eb7bd5f6-0 fYAfXe\">The independent candidate is well in contention for a seat in Dublin.<!-- --><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr style=\"border-top: 2px solid #ccc; margin-top: 20px;\">\n<p><em>Source: <\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/politics.einnews.com\/article\/765207007\/AmUDgWk69rRkmH0F?ref=rss&amp;ecode=kmfm9fDbRbj4OPCJ\">politics.einnews.com\u2026<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>PA Fianna F\u00e1il leader Mich\u00e9al Martin said he believes there is a pathway to government As the Republic of Ireland\u2019s election weekend reached the mid-point, unpredictability began to give way to some clarity. The most obvious route to a coalition looks to be a combination of the centre right parties who have dominated Irish governments [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=19975"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19975\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=19975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=19975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gpt.m2mbeta.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=19975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}