Ireland elections: what happens next?
Ireland's election results seemed strangely familiar, as the two main incumbent parties retained power.


Ireland’s political landscape after 29 November's general election looked “strangely familiar”, says Fintan O’Toole in The Guardian.
Familiar, because the two main incumbent parties, Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fail and Simon Harris’s Fine Gael, received almost exactly the same combined share of the vote as they did in 2020, and will therefore continue to govern.
Strange most obviously because Irish voters have “bucked the trend” in this “global year of elections” by failing to give the incumbents a “good kicking”. But also strange, because given that Ireland is enjoying full employment, overflowing public coffers and a booming export-led economy, the endorsement was “lukewarm”. As recently as 2007, the “twins’” combined share of the vote was 70%. It is now 43%.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Their declining popularity is not, as one might expect, due to a rise in the fortunes of the main opposition party, Sinn Fein, which was, in fact, the “biggest loser”. Its vote share fell from 25% to 20%, partly because support “leached” away to right-wing candidates exploiting anti-immigrant sentiment among voters, and partly because of “internal scandals” that have made the party look “at best incompetent, and at worst cynical”.
What's next for Ireland's political landscape?
So what next? Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have a combined 86 seats, just two short of the 88 needed to secure a majority in the Dail. They could either do a deal with Labour or the Social Democrats – 11 seats each – or with the right-wing party Independent Ireland, which has four, says the BBC's Enda McClafferty.
Another option would be to turn to some of the 16 independents, but that “could mean a less stable coalition” as they would be “more likely to revolt on specific issues”, notes The Guardian’s Lisa O’Carroll. The front runner to be the next taoiseach (prime minister) is Martin, but at this stage, nothing “can be ruled out, as weeks, if not months” of political talks are on the cards.
This article was first published in MoneyWeek's magazine. Enjoy exclusive early access to news, opinion and analysis from our team of financial experts with a MoneyWeek subscription.
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.

Emily has worked as a journalist for more than thirty years and was formerly Assistant Editor of MoneyWeek, which she helped launch in 2000. Prior to this, she was Deputy Features Editor of The Times and a Commissioning Editor for The Independent on Sunday and The Daily Telegraph. She has written for most of the national newspapers including The Times, the Daily and Sunday Telegraph, The Evening Standard and The Daily Mail, She interviewed celebrities weekly for The Sunday Telegraph and wrote a regular column for The Evening Standard. As Political Editor of MoneyWeek, Emily has covered subjects from Brexit to the Gaza war.
Aside from her writing, Emily trained as Nutritional Therapist following her son's diagnosis with Type 1 diabetes in 2011 and now works as a practitioner for Nature Doc, offering one-to-one consultations and running workshops in Oxfordshire.
-
Is investing in AIM still worth it after IHT clampdown?
HMRC expects to rake in £110 million a year from upcoming inheritance tax changes on AIM shares. The tax relief will be cut from April 2026, meaning you could find yourself paying 20% in inheritance tax.
By Katie Williams
-
AI in finance: how is technology changing financial advice?
There are huge opportunities for AI to improve and democratise financial services, particularly financial advice. But is the regulatory environment ready for AI to become mainstream in finance?
By Dan McEvoy
-
Will Putin invade Europe? Why investors know Russia is a paper tiger
Opinion Markets are right to ignore talk of Putin invading Europe, says Max King.
By Max King
-
Why French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been banned from running for office
Marine Le Pen, presidential candidate and leader of France's right-wing National Rally party, has been barred from standing by the country's judges.
By Emily Hohler
-
Friedrich Merz proposes 'radical' spending package for Germany
Germany's chancellor designate Friedrich Merz wants to scrap restraints on borrowing and allow for much higher defence spending
By Emily Hohler
-
It’s time to start buying Europe again, says Merryn Somerset Webb
Opinion Europe's stocks are cheap and the economic backdrop is starting to look cheerier, says Merryn Somerset Webb
By Merryn Somerset Webb
-
Key takeaways from the 2025 German election results
Friedrich Merz heralds a new era for Germany, after the German elections revealed a majority of young voters are leaning towards the far-right
By Emily Hohler
-
Why is the US economy pulling ahead of Europe?
The US economy is trouncing comparable rich-world countries, enjoying higher growth and productivity. What is it doing so right?
By Simon Wilson
-
François Bayrou appointed as France's new prime minister – what's next?
François Bayrou becomes France's new PM after a no-confidence vote ousts Michel Barnier.
By Emily Hohler
-
Europe’s deep creativity crisis – and how to fix it
In the US, small companies become big ones. On this side of the Atlantic, they don’t
By David C. Stevenson