Ireland's Election: A Close Contest with Migration at the Forefront

Ireland's recent parliamentary election was marked by a tight race between the three major parties: the ruling Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the opposition Sinn Féin. With all parties neck-and-neck at around 20% in polls, a coalition government seems inevitable.

Central to the election discourse were issues of migration, housing, and cost of living. The booming economy has attracted many immigrants, exacerbating housing shortages.

Despite public discontent over immigration policies, extreme right-wing parties have not gained traction. The outcome may reflect broader global trends of incumbent governments being challenged.

As counting proceeds, no single party is expected to secure enough seats to govern alone, leading to potential prolonged negotiations for coalition formation.