Ireland faces uncertainty after ousting coalition

DUBLIN – Agence France-Presse

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny (C) departs the general election count at the count centre in Castlebar, Ireland February 27, 2016. REUTERS photo

Ireland waited for the final results on Feb. 28 of an election that has left the eurozone country in limbo, ejecting Prime Minister Enda Kenny’s governing coalition but offering no clear alternative.

First results from Feb. 26’s vote indicated Kenny’s Fine Gael party and its junior partner, Labor, will no longer have a parliamentary majority -- but neither will any other grouping, meaning weeks of negotiations may lie ahead.

“Democracy can be very exciting but it’s merciless when it kicks in. So this is a disappointment for the Fine Gael party,” Kenny told RTE television after he was re-elected in his rural constituency of Mayo.

“Clearly the government of Fine Gael and Labor are not going to be returned to office and obviously one has to wait now until all the counts are in right across the country to see what the options that must be considered are.”

In a trend that echoed elections in Greece, Spain and Portugal, voters turned to independent politicians, smaller parties and anti-austerity groups amid anger over hardship that has continued despite strong economic growth.

Initial results indicated Fine Gael would still be the largest party in parliament, but old rivals Fianna Fail is now hot on its heels in a remarkable recovery from 2011, when it was routed in the wake of the economic crash.
The two parties have political similarities but a bitter history, as the political descendants of opposite sides in a civil war who have taken turns ruling Ireland since 1932.

Yet between them they would have enough seats to govern, and party figures began to indicate this previously unthinkable arrangement could be considered.

“We’re committed to doing our best by the country and ensuring that the country gets a good government. But it will take time,” said Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin.

Analysts stressed negotiations would not be easy and that Ireland could face an election re-run.

“I think the prospect of another election very soon is now very, very high,” said Mark Mortell, a senior Fine Gael strategist.

Negotiating parties will be mindful of the date of March 10, when the newly-elected representatives are due to meet in the lower house of parliament Dail Eireann and, in theory, appoint a Taoiseach or prime minister.
One party that gained in the vote was Sinn Fein, once seen as the political voice of the Irish Republican Army in Northern Ireland.

It has ridden a wave of support since adopting the anti-austerity mantle in the south and could nearly double its seats.

“We’re into a new era, we have seen in this election a seismic change,” leader Gerry Adams said after he was re-elected in his County Louth constituency, close to the border with Northern Ireland.

He said Fianna Fail and Fine Gael “should get into bed together” in a political coalition, which would make Sinn Fein the main opposition party.