On November 29, Ireland heads to the polls with the same establishment parties—Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and Sinn Féin—competing for power, despite growing voter frustration and no clear alternative in sight.
Fine Gael, in power since 2011, governs with Fianna Fáil in a coalition that has dominated Irish politics for over a century. The left-wing Sinn Féin, known for its IRA roots, is the main opposition. All three are polling around 20%, with a third of voters still undecided, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction.
Prime Minister Simon Harris, who took office in April, symbolizes this discontent. He faced backlash after turning his back on a care worker’s complaint, an incident that hurt Fine Gael in the polls. Meanwhile, Sinn Féin has lost significant working-class support due to its pro-immigration stance.
Ireland faces twin crises of housing and immigration. Housing tops voter concerns, with the nation’s population surging by 100,000 in a year, driven largely by immigration. Now, 20% of the population is foreign-born, while new housing fails to keep pace. Two-thirds of young adults aged 25-29 still live with their parents, far above EU averages.
Despite the rising cost of living and growing pressure on infrastructure, the main parties continue to push pro-migration policies, leaving voters skeptical of meaningful solutions. Smaller parties and independents, expected to collectively gain 20-25%, lack the influence to change the establishment’s direction.
With housing shortages, surging asylum applications, and public trust in politicians waning, Ireland’s election highlights the disconnect between the political class and the people they’re meant to serve.
