{"id":12826,"date":"2020-02-11T09:02:56","date_gmt":"2020-02-11T13:02:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=12826"},"modified":"2020-02-12T12:05:39","modified_gmt":"2020-02-12T16:05:39","slug":"mcdonald-engaging-with-smaller-parties-in-hopes-of-left-wing-coalition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=12826","title":{"rendered":"McDonald Engaging With Smaller Parties in Hopes of Left-Wing Coalition"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mary Lou McDonald addresses the media in Dublin, as Northern Ireland\u2019s deputy First Minister Michelle O\u2019Neill looks on (Niall Carson\/PA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>Sinn F\u00e9in is working to establish the viability of a left-wing coalition government.<\/p>\n

In the wake of a stunning election result, leader Mary Lou McDonald is engaging with smaller parties and a range of independent TDs to see if she has the numbers to assemble a workable administration.<\/p>\n

It remains highly doubtful Ms McDonald can garner enough partners to reach the magic number of 80 TDs to command a majority in the D\u00e1il.<\/p>\n

But if she did pull it off it would represent a landmark moment for the state, as it would be the first time in more than 90 years when neither Fianna F\u00e1il or Fine Gael was not in power.<\/p>\n

Smaller parties and groupings such as the Greens, Labour, the Social Democrats and Solidarity\/People Before Profit, and a sizeable number of independent TDs, are all set to be courted by Mrs McDonald as she seeks junior coalition partners.<\/p>\n

Many believe it will be impossible to form a government without the involvement of one of either Fianna F\u00e1il or Fine Gael.<\/p>\n

A coalition of Fianna F\u00e1il, Sinn F\u00e9in and the Green Party \u2013 which ended with 12 seats \u2013 is seen as a potentially more realistic option.<\/p>\n

Fianna F\u00e1il emerged from the election as the largest party by the narrowest margin over the surging Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n

Miche\u00e1l Martin\u2019s party finished with 38 seats to Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s 37 at the end of two days of counting.<\/p>\n

But given the Fianna F\u00e1il speaker was re-elected without contest, both parties essentially \u201cwon\u201d the same number of seats.<\/p>\n

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar\u2019s Fine Gael was the big loser, recording the second-worst result in its history, winning only 35 seats having entered the campaign as the largest party on 47.<\/p>\n

Despite being edged in seat numbers, Sinn F\u00e9in is undoubtedly the party with most to celebrate, having smashed the long-standing two-party system.<\/p>\n

Mary Lou McDonald\u2019s party triumphed in the popular vote and may have won many more seats \u2013 potentially an additional 11 \u2013 if it had fielded more candidates in the landmark contest.<\/p>\n

As such, momentum is behind her in taking the first steps in what could be a long and tortuous process to form a new government.<\/p>\n

She has predicted she could be Ireland\u2019s next taoiseach.<\/p>\n

Newly-elected Sinn F\u00e9in TD for Cavan and Monaghan Matt Carthy acknowledged that if would be difficult to reach 80 seats.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe numbers of that are going to be tight,\u201d he told RTE\u2019s Morning Ireland.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut we have an obligation, and Mary Lou McDonald has already set this in train, to talk to the progressive parties that were clearly part of the mandate for change.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite receiving the most first preference votes, Sinn F\u00e9in\u2019s place in the next government is not guaranteed.<\/p>\n

All three major parties are far short of the 80 seats required for a majority so, barring another election, some form of coalition is inevitable.<\/p>\n

Either Fianna F\u00e1il or Fine Gael may be forced to back-track on long-standing pledges never to do business with Sinn F\u00e9in.<\/p>\n

There appear to be differing views within Fianna F\u00e1il, with some members remaining opposed to any alliance with Sinn F\u00e9in and others more open to the prospect.<\/p>\n

Mr Varadkar has maintained his pre-election stance and ruled out any Fine Gael\/Sinn F\u00e9in coalition.<\/p>\n

Another permutation could see the exclusion of Sinn F\u00e9in, with Fine Gael and Fianna F\u00e1il entering power together in a so-called \u201cgrand coalition\u201d with another smaller party or grouping \u2013 though that prospect looks increasingly unlikely.<\/p>\n

Sinn F\u00e9in received 24.5% of the vote share on first preference in Saturday\u2019s election, Fianna F\u00e1il got 22.2% and Fine Gael 20.9%.<\/p>\n

The final breakdown of the 160 seats was Fianna F\u00e1il 38, Sinn F\u00e9in 37, Fine Gael 35, Greens 12, Labour 6, Social Democrats 6, Solidarity\/People Before Profit 5, Aontu 1, Independents4Change 1 and independents 19.<\/p>\n

Mr Varadkar\u2019s confidence and supply arrangement with Fianna F\u00e1il took 70 days to negotiate following the inconclusive 2016 general election.<\/p>\n

It looks unlikely that either party will countenance a similar arrangement this time round.<\/p>\n

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