Irish General Election Campaign Officially Begins

The formal campaign for the Irish General Election will commence when Taoiseach Simon Harris asks President Michael D. Higgins to dissolve the Dáil, marking the end of the coalition government formed by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party in 2020. This coalition, brought together to address post-election instability, faced significant challenges including the Covid-19 pandemic, inflation due to geopolitical tensions, and a surge in migration, particularly from Ukraine. As the election date approaches on November 29, the political landscape is shifting, with Sinn Féin rallying support for their candidate, Maria McCormack, who emphasizes community issues and calls for change. The election campaign period is set to conclude on November 11, preceding a mandated silence period enforced by the Election Commission. This election is critical as it comes after years of coalition governance and amid rising public concerns over housing and immigration.