Sinn Féin, Fine Gael, and Greens Retreat from Anti-Immigration Position
Dublin: Sinn Féin is experiencing a surge in support as it adopts a firmer stance on immigration, coinciding with heightened public concern over the refugee crisis, according to an IrelandThinks/Sunday Independent opinion poll.
The poll indicates a three-point increase in Sinn Féin’s popularity to 29%, while Fine Gael’s approval rating declined by two points to 19%. Conversely, Fianna Fáil’s popularity remained unchanged at 16%.
Sinn Féin has emerged as a vocal opponent of the European Union Immigration and Asylum Agreement, contrasting with the Irish government’s endorsement of the agreement. The party’s anti-open border stance is underscored by a series of social media videos.
Support for other parties such as the Social Democrats (6%), Green Party (4%), Labour Party (3%), and Solidarity-People Before Profit (2%) remained steady. Meanwhile, support for Aontú declined by one percentage point to three, with Independents/Other gaining two points to 19%.
Simon Harris’s popularity within Fine Gael has risen despite the party’s overall decline in ratings. Harris’s approval rating of 4.3% places him closely behind Fianna Fáil’s Micheál Martin (4.6%). Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald follows closely with a rating of 4.0%. However, Justice Minister Helen McEntee’s approval rating on immigration issues experienced a significant drop to 3.3%.
The majority of voters (30%) express a preference for a Sinn Féin-led government, excluding Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, with only 19% supporting the current coalition. Additionally, 11% favour a Sinn Féin-Fianna Fáil coalition.
Immigration and housing dominate voter concerns, with 41% prioritising immigration, representing a 15-point increase compared to previous polls. Meanwhile, 54% of respondents identify housing as the country’s primary issue.
Regarding the refugee crisis, 39% attribute the lack of government action as the main cause, while 35% blame international conflict and war. The UK government is blamed by 13% of respondents, with 11% attributing responsibility to the EU.
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