Sinn Féin’s Immigration Position Backfires: Popularity Takes a Hit
Dublin: Sinn Féin has experienced a notable decline in popularity, marking its lowest point in three years, which is a setback for the opposition. However, there is a sense of relief within the coalition as the Social Democrats and other coalition parties have seen a rise in support, as indicated by the latest Ireland Thinks poll conducted by the Sunday Independent, reflecting a shifting political landscape in Ireland.
Support for Mary Lou McDonald’s party in terms of future prime ministership has dropped to levels last seen in 2021, with a significant decline observed over the past six months. Sinn Féin’s popularity has decreased by eight points since September, now standing at 27 percent, down two points from the previous month. Previously, Sinn Féin held the position as the most popular party in the country, with 35 percent of the public expressing confidence in them.
The decline in Sinn Féin’s support is believed to be linked to its lenient stance on immigration policy, including open support for illegal immigration. The poll indicates a growing public concern about this issue, with a ten-point increase compared to the previous month.
On the other hand, the Social Democrats have seen their support rise, surpassing the Greens and reaching seven percent. This development offers some respite to the opposition. Meanwhile, the Labour Party’s popularity remains steady at 4 percent, while support for other parties like Solidarity-People Before Profit and Aontú has declined slightly.
In terms of overall party support, Fine Gael holds second place with the backing of 20 percent of the population, followed by Fianna Fáil at 18 percent. Both ruling parties have seen a marginal increase in their popularity, with their coalition partner, the Green Party, also reaching 4 percent support.
The poll highlights that the public’s top concerns revolve around housing, the cost of living, and healthcare, with immigration ranking fourth. There is also growing apprehension about the rise of far-right ideologies and conflicts such as the Israel-Hamas war.
Regarding government preferences, there is a high level of support for the re-election of the current government in the event of forced re-election, which could dampen the prospects of a Sinn Féin administration. Similarly, support for a Sinn Féin-led government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has decreased, along with backing for the re-election of the current coalition.
Furthermore, the RTE controversy has captured the attention of a significant portion of the population, with many expressing distrust towards Catherine Martin on this issue, as evidenced by the survey results.
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