Political parties plan their way to government

The leaders of Ireland’s three main political parties were all re-elected to the Dáil (Irish Parliament).

Fianna Fáil’s Michael Martin, Fine Gael’s Simon Harris and Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald have overcome their first hurdle in the Irish general election.

Now they all face the even bigger challenge of trying to form the next government.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael served together in the outgoing government and appear well placed to return to power after the first day of vote counting.

If they agree to this, they may need the support of one of the smaller parties or a number of independent TDs who are expected to win in Sunday’s vote-counting process.

Sinn Féin also said it wanted to serve as the next government and said the party was open to dialogue with other parties and independents.

However, based on current projections, the scale of the challenge facing Sinn Féin is enormous.

Political observers now predict that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could win a combined total of more than 80 seats.

If that happens, both parties will be within reach of the golden number of 87 or 88 TD, which would give them a majority in the Dáil.

The same political commentators believe Sinn Féin could secure around 40 seats.

But even if it achieved that, it would still be far short of the numbers needed for a majority in the Dáil.

In that case, Sinn Féin will need to look to smaller parties and independent parties.

The challenges facing Sinn Féin are becoming clearer, with smaller parties expected to be in the single digits once all TDs are finalized.

If you look at independents, you’ll find a very diverse group of TDs.

Finding a common cause in such a situation will be another big challenge for the party.

Further complicating matters, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have said they have no interest in sharing power with Sinn Féin, citing fundamental policy differences on a range of issues. That’s what I’m claiming.

All this means that Sinn Féin may have to engineer a sensational political masterclass if it is to come to power for the first time in the Republic of Ireland.

The only thing Sinn Féin and everyone involved has is time.

There is a growing view that negotiations to form a new government may extend beyond Christmas and into the New Year.

On Saturday, party leaders Mary Lou McDonald and Michelle O’Neill were delighted to join Sinn Féin supporters at the RDS in Dublin.

They were clearly very happy with the number of seats that Sinn Féin was expected to win.

As things stand, few political commentators expect Sinn Féin’s glee to last to the other side of the government negotiations.