DUBLIN — On Wednesday, Irish legislators convened with the intent of appointing a new prime minister, only to abandon the effort due to intense disputes over parliamentary rules.
This disarray means that the anticipated appointment of the seasoned politician Micheál Martin will be postponed until at least Thursday.
Martin expressed his dismay at the day’s events, remarking, “What transpired today was shocking. This is the first time in over a century that the Dáil has failed in its duty to elect a government as mandated by the constitution.”
Efforts to establish a new government come on the heels of a general election held nearly two months ago, where Martin’s party, Fianna Fáil, secured the highest number of seats but fell short of achieving an outright majority.
Following weeks of negotiations, Fianna Fáil teamed up with the center-right Fine Gael party to form a coalition, which is also supported by several independent members of parliament.
According to the coalition arrangement, the 64-year-old Martin will serve as taoiseach, or prime minister, for a three-year duration, while Simon Harris from Fine Gael, the current taoiseach, will act in the capacity of deputy. Subsequently, the two leaders are set to exchange their roles for the remainder of the five-year parliamentary term.
Both party members have ratified this coalition, and Martin was scheduled to receive confirmation from the Dáil during the Wednesday session. However, speaker Verona Murphy was compelled to suspend the meeting multiple times due to ongoing debates regarding whether independent lawmakers supporting the government should be allotted time to speak as opposition. Ultimately, she decided to adjourn the meeting until Thursday morning.
Once Martin receives the Dáil’s endorsement, he will be formally appointed to his position by President Michael D. Higgins, who will then oversee the formation of the new cabinet.
In the November 29 election in Ireland, voters defied a global trend evident in 2024, which saw many incumbent governments ousted from power.
Fianna Fáil managed to capture 48 out of the 174 legislative seats, while Fine Gael secured 38. Their coalition has garnered support from the mostly conservative Regional Independent Group, which is expected to receive junior ministerial roles within the government.
Although Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are generally aligned on center-right policies, their historical rivalry dates back to the civil war in the 1920s, which saw them on opposing sides. The two parties previously forged an alliance following the 2020 election, which resulted in a near tie.
This coalition arrangement effectively excludes the left-leaning party Sinn Féin from participating in the government, despite their victory in gaining 39 seats. Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have opted not to collaborate with Sinn Féin due to their historical connections with the Irish Republican Army during the tumultuous period of violence in Northern Ireland that spanned three decades.
The incoming government will be under significant pressure to tackle the escalating homelessness crisis, which is exacerbated by skyrocketing rents and property prices, as well as to handle the increasing numbers of asylum-seekers.
The rising cost of living, with a particular focus on housing issues, topped the list of concerns during the election campaign, and immigration continues to be a sensitive and complex subject in a country of 5.4 million that has traditionally experienced high levels of emigration.
