Will Ireland’s snap general election redefine Irish politics?
Opinion polls predict a political shake-up in Ireland as voters shift away from the two main parties towards Sinn Fein.
Irish politics has long been dominated by two centre-right parties: Fine Gael, the party of current Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, and Fianna Fail.
But that appears to be changing as opinion polls suggest Sinn Fein – more associated with Northern Ireland as the former political wing of the IRA paramilitary group – is now the most popular party.
Fine Gael is in third place, meaning a third successive term may be out of reach for Varadkar, who has gained plaudits abroad for campaigning for a Brexit deal that is favourable to Ireland but enjoys less popularity at home.
Saturday’s general election could produce a Parliament where neither of the main parties have a majority, opening the door to Sinn Fein playing a major role in any future government.
Presenter: Adrian Finighan
Guests:
Eoin O’Malley – Associate professor of political science at Dublin City University’s School of Law and Government
Deaglan de Breadun – Political columnist and author of Power Play: The Rise of Modern Sinn Fein
Connal Parr – Lecturer at Northumbria University and an expert in Irish affairs