Dublin: Leaders of Ireland’s ruling coalition have reportedly reached an agreement on the timing of the upcoming general election, with potential dates being narrowed down to November 22, November 29, or December 6. A government spokesperson confirmed that the three party leaders—Prime Minister Simon Harris of Fine Gael, Deputy Prime Minister Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil, and Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman—have agreed that the election will be held this year. This consensus was reached during their weekly leadership meeting.
However, while there was broad agreement on the timing, Prime Minister Harris remained reserved about committing to a specific date during the meeting. He emphasised that the Finance Bill will be passed by the parliamentary committee on November 7, after which there will be no procedural hurdles to holding an election. Harris reiterated that the prerogative to announce the election date rests solely with the Prime Minister, though he expressed his commitment to consulting coalition partners on the timing.
Parties to Contest Separately
Both Prime Minister Harris and Deputy Prime Minister Martin clarified that the election will not be fought under a united front. Unlike local elections, where parties often form electoral pacts, each party in the coalition—Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party—will run independent campaigns with individual platforms. Harris has emphasised Fine Gael’s focus on maximising its seat count, stating, “We will contest the election on our own, and all parties should do the same. The post-election landscape will dictate whether any agreements are necessary.”
Micheál Martin echoed this sentiment, stating that voters will decide based on the performance of the current government. “We are three distinct parties that respect each other’s differences. The election will focus on key issues such as cost of living, housing, healthcare, safe and clean cities, and environmental sustainability,” Martin said. He added that while he has always advocated for the coalition to serve its full term, he is prepared for the election whenever it may be called.
Internal Challenges Within Fine Gael
Fine Gael is preparing to enter the election relying heavily on the personal influence of Prime Minister Simon Harris, especially in light of internal challenges. Senior figures within the party have either left or announced their intentions to step down, notably Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, who has been in talks with party leaders for two months following her decision to leave politics.
Despite these internal challenges, Fine Gael is positioning itself for electoral gains, particularly on key issues such as housing and healthcare. Both Harris and the party leadership are making strategic efforts to highlight these areas as part of their campaign, hoping to secure a strong mandate in the upcoming election.
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