Ireland's General Election 2024: Updated Results and Political Landscape
As of Sunday, 1 December 2024, counting votes in Ireland's general election is ongoing, with emerging results indicating a competitive race among the major political parties. The incumbent coalition of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael appears poised to retain power. Preliminary Results Early tallies suggest the following distribution of first-preference votes: Fianna Fáil : Approximately 21.9% Fine Gael : Approximately 20.5% Sinn Féin : Approximately 19.1% These figures reflect a shift from initial exit polls, which had shown Sinn Féin with a slight lead. Financial Times Key Issues Influencing the Election Several critical socio-economic challenges have shaped the election: Housing Crisis : Escalating property prices and a shortage of affordable housing have been central concerns, with record levels of homelessness intensifying public demand for practical solutions. Cost of Living : Rising living expenses have placed additional financial strain on households, prompting calls for governmen...