After making impressive gains in 2020, Sinn Féin was tipped to finally make it into government this year. It’s failure to do so will prompt an internal shake up.

Most recent elections around the West have seen voters punish incumbents for rising inflation and the end of pandemic-era support programs. Ireland’s election last Friday was thus something of a relief for ruling parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Party leader Mary Lou McDonald had vowed to deliver a step change in the drive for constitutional change if Sinn Fein entered government and she became Taoiseach

The horrifying toll exacted by the Irish election process was shockingly visible over the last stretch in the heavily-lined face of 37 year old Taoiseach Simon Harris, who was swept into office last April on a wave of enthusiasm to replace Leo Varadkar as leader of Fine Gael when he unexpectedly resigned.

At one level, the vote was an endorsement of continuity, but the stability in Ireland’s political center ground masked volatility on the fringes.

Micheál Martin and Simon Harris are in a tight race to become Ireland’s next taoiseach, leaving Sinn Fein locked out of power, according to the latest general election results.

The Labour Party and the Social Democrats have both made good gains in the general election. But both are understood to be wary of becoming the junior member of a predominantly centre-right coalition – given the centre-left party which took that role the last time has suffered a near wipeout at the polls.

Voters across Ireland cast their ballots in the country’s general election on 29 November. First preference vote shares indicated that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to continue their coalition as support for Sinn Féin declines.