Ireland, Extreme Right Wings Stepped Forward

At the general election on 17th, Fianna Fail party led by Prime Minister Bertie Ahern failed to won over half seats in Ireland’s parliamentary but the extreme rightist Sinn Fein added one more seat to 4 seats it had won in 1997.

Leaving a seat not decided yet, Fianna Fail has secured 80 seats (41.5 percent) gaining 3 seats more than previous but failed to secure a majority.

Meanwhile, the first opposing party Fine Gael has shrunk to 31 seats, losing 23 seats at this election, recording the worst since its foundation in 1948. The Financial Times analyzed that while Fianna Fail of Prime Minister Ahern has led a dramatic economic growth, Fine Gael has failed to provide a distinctive alternative.

Sinn Fein, Progressive Democrats, and the Green party had won 5 seats, 8 seats (4 seats before), and 6 seats (2 before) respectively.

The ruling Fianna Fail must establish a coalition in order to form a Cabinet in 2 weeks. Since Ahern requested a complete dismissal of IRA, the coalition with Sinn Fein seems not possible.

havefun@donga.com