‘United Republic of Ireland’ party wins 39 seats to Fianna Fail, ruling party’s 48
Sinn S Fein, the popular Irish political party that wants Northern Ireland to become part of the Republic of Ireland and was long widely regarded as the political wing of the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA), which embarked on years of bloody campaign to realise that objective, narrowly lost to ruling party, Fianna Fail in the vote Thursday – yesterday, January 23 – in the Dail, to elect a new Irish prime minister.
Fianna Fail won 48 seats to Sinn Fein’s 39 to have its leader Micheal Martin confirmed as the new Irish prime minister after a vote in the Dail, lower house of Irish parliament, local media reported on Thursday.
By this showing, Sinn Fein becomes Ireland’s main opposition, having won the second largest number of seats in the 2024 election, with its leader as Mary Lou McDonald, who succeeded Gerry Adams, the face of Northern Ireland’s resistance for decades, in 2018.
The lawmakers yesterday voted to elect Martin as Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) for the second time by a coalition of the country’s two large centre-right parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, and independent lawmakers.
The election of Taoiseach had previously been delayed on Wednesday after the Dail was suspended amid chaotic scenes in the chamber.
“As I look at Ireland today, it is clear that there can be a degree of cynicism towards politics, and too often we dismiss the motivation of others, especially those we disagree with.
“ I reject this. I believe in the good faith of those who seek to serve their communities in elected office,” Martin said.
Martin talked about domestic challenges, including housing and support for people with disabilities, acknowledging too many have to fight too hard to access the services they deserve.
Martin, 64, was Taoiseach from 2020 to 2022 before handing the leadership to Fine Gael for the second half of the term.
Under the deal between the two parties, outgoing Prime Minister Simon Harris is set to return as premier in late 2027.
The new Irish government is facing a series of international challenges including efforts to reform the European Union and the return to the White House of U.S. President Donald Trump, who pledges to impose tariffs, posing a potentially major threat to Ireland’s export-oriented economy.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, members of Ireland’s previous governing coalition, held onto power following the general election held in late November 2024.
The two parties secured a combined 86 seats in the 174-seat Dail, falling just two seats short of a majority.
The main opposition party Sinn Fein won 39 seats, only second to Fianna Fail, which won 48 seats.(Xinhua/NAN). Additional reporting by Daily Query
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