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Irish parliament set for stalemate in attempt to form new government Varadkar set to resign as Irish government enters stalemate
(about 2 hours later)
All candidates for taoiseach are expected to fall short of the 80 seats needed in the Dáil Éireann Taoiseach could continue as caretaker leader after inconclusive sitting of Dáil Éireann
The Irish parliament is headed for deadlock over a new taoiseach after meeting for the first time since the 8 February election. Leo Varadkar was set to resign as taoiseach on Thursday night after Ireland’s hung parliament deadlocked over choosing a new premier.
No nominee was expected to win a majority in votes in Dáil Éireann on Thursday evening, turning Leo Varadkar, the outgoing taoiseach, into a caretaker leader. Varadkar planned to submit his resignation to Michael D Higgins, the president of Ireland, but continue as caretaker leader after a tempestuous but inconclusive sitting of Dáil Éireann, which met for the first time since the 8 February election.
Political parties prepared for the 33rd dáil, just a day-old, to be suspended until a new government can be formed, a process that could take weeks, possibly months. It adjourned until 5 March, giving party leaders several weeks to try to form a ruling coalition.
Varadkar, the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and the Green party leader Eamon Ryan were nominated for taoiseach by their parties but all were expected to fall far short of an 80-seat majority in the 160-seat chamber. Varadkar said his administration will continue to work but avoid major policy decisions, financial allocations and public appointments “unless absolutely necessary”, and only then after consultation with the other parties.
The ritual, conducted amid pomp and ceremony, paved the way for intensified efforts to build a viable ruling coalition from Ireland’s fragmented political landscape. Varadkar, the Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, the Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and the Green party leader Eamon Ryan were nominated for taoiseach by their parties but all, as expected, fell far short of an 80-seat majority in the 160-seat chamber.
Speaking before the votes Martin said he would ask Varadkar in coming days to engage in government formation talks, raising the possibility of an unprecedented coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, centrist rivals that have dominated Irish politics for a century. McDonald won most votes, 45, with 84 against and 29 abstentions. Martin won 41, with 97 against and 19 abstentions. Varadkar won 36, with 107 against and 16 abstentions. Ryan won 12, with 115 against and 28 abstentions.
Martin reiterated his “fundamental” opposition to working with Sinn Féin, citing the party’s links to the IRA during and since the Troubles. “Their structures are problematic in terms of those who control the levers of power.” The 33rd dáil opened amid pomp and ceremony but the stalemate put it on ice after just one day, reflecting a deeply fragmented political landscape.
He also cited Sinn Féin’s left-wing manifesto, which promised a dramatic surge in government spending. “It was something that harks back to a different era.” Vitriolic exchanges between party leaders after the votes underlined the challenge of forming a government, a process that could take weeks, possibly months, and end in another election.
Martin reiterated his opposition to working with Sinn Féin in an onslaught on the party’s links to the IRA during and since the Troubles. “When I raised the issue of the systematic cover up of child abuse by the Provisional IRA I was called a lowlife by Deputies present here today,” he said.
He also accused Sinn Féin of anti-semitism and peddling a manifesto of spendthrift populism.
McDonald hit back, saying Martin shared a cabinet table with colleagues convicted of corruption and that he reflected an old, discredited duopoly that sought to ignore voters’ desire for change.
“I see we still live rent free in Micheál Martin’s narrow and bitter mind,” she said.“Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have had the run of this place for a century, and by Christ they’re not prepared to let go.”
McDonald said her party’s breakthrough in the election – it won 24% of the vote, more than any other party – showed a desire for an alternative government that would build affordable homes, cut rents and reduce the pension age.McDonald said her party’s breakthrough in the election – it won 24% of the vote, more than any other party – showed a desire for an alternative government that would build affordable homes, cut rents and reduce the pension age.
“The eyes of the people are on Leinster House today … we are going in there to represent the hopes of over half a million people who voted for our party and the hundreds of thousands of others who voted for change.” Martin said he would ask Varadkar in coming days to engage in government formation talks, raising the possibility of an unprecedented coalition between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, centrist rivals that have dominated Irish politics for a century.
However Fine Gael appears determined to go into opposition, saying it needs to regroup after nine years in office and a hammering from voters, raising doubts about any deal with Fianna Fail. Varadkar has also ruled out a deal with Sinn Féin.
In the election Fianna Fáil won 38 seats, Sinn Féin won 37, Fine Gael won 35 and the Greens won 12, with small left-wing parties and independents comprising the rest.In the election Fianna Fáil won 38 seats, Sinn Féin won 37, Fine Gael won 35 and the Greens won 12, with small left-wing parties and independents comprising the rest.
Fianna Fáil’s slim advantage ended when one of its TDs (MPs), Seán Ó Fearghaíl, was re-elected as speaker, or Ceann Comhairle, whittling the party’s voting bloc to 37.Fianna Fáil’s slim advantage ended when one of its TDs (MPs), Seán Ó Fearghaíl, was re-elected as speaker, or Ceann Comhairle, whittling the party’s voting bloc to 37.
Several left wing parties said they would support McDonald for taoiseach, underlining their preference for a left wing rainbow coalition. Several left wing parties supported McDonald for taoiseach, underlining their preference for a left wing rainbow coalition.
However there is widespread acceptance that a stable government will require two of the three big parties.However there is widespread acceptance that a stable government will require two of the three big parties.
Varadkar and Martin have both ruled out a deal with Sinn Féin. Varadkar has also said he wishes to lead Fine Gael in opposition, saying the party needs to regroup after nine years in office and a hammering from voters.
However in nominating Varadkar for another term Bernard Durkan, a Fine Gael TD, said if necessary Varadkar would the challenge of leading a minority government.
During Brexit talks the taoiseach had discharged the office with “distinction, courage and conviction”, he said. “No one ever said it would be easy but it appears to be easy as a result of the skills, the determination and the leadership.”
Some newly elected politicians made colourful arrivals. The brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, independent TDs from Kerry, played traditional music on Kildare street.Some newly elected politicians made colourful arrivals. The brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae, independent TDs from Kerry, played traditional music on Kildare street.