Ireland Reaches Coalition Agreement, Publishes Government Plan

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Above: Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin speaking to the media during a press conference outside the Government Buildings, Dublin. Picture date: May 22, 2024.  Image copyright: Damien Storan/PA Images via Getty Images

The Facts

  • Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is set to become the Republic of Ireland's Taoiseach (Prime Minister) on Jan. 22, following a coalition agreement between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and independent lawmakers. Martin will serve until November 2027, when the Fine Gael leader and previous Taoiseach Simon Harris will take over.

  • The new government will have a majority of 93 seats in the 174-seat parliament, combining Fianna Fáil's 48 seats, Fine Gael's 38 seats, and support from seven independent conservatives who will receive cabinet positions.

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The Spin

Pro-establishment narrative

The new coalition government brings a blend of familiarity and fresh opportunity, with Martin as Taoiseach and Harris as Tánaiste. While challenges in housing and health care remain, the coalition shows a clear commitment to confront long-standing issues. Stability, ambition, and an appetite for reform set a hopeful tone for progress in these critical areas.

Establishment-critical narrative

The new coalition is a thinly veiled continuation of the status quo, ignoring Ireland’s pressing crises. While elites laud their stability, housing remains unaffordable, health care is underfunded, and workers are disillusioned. While their token measures fail to address inequality as working-class struggles are sidelined, public frustration only grows as the new government ignores transformative change.

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