Vote counting began Sunday with analysts forecasting that some sort of coalition is inevitable. The survey was conducted by pollster Ipsos MRBI for national broadcaster RTE, the Irish Times, TG4 television and University College Dublin. Sinn Fein might be unable to find enough left-leaning allies to form a workable government. Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, which have dominated Irish politics since independence, have shunned Sinn Fein because of its links to the Irish Republican Army, which disarmed under a peace deal. “Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have ruled out coalition with Sinn Féin, but will face major pressure now to row back from that,’’ he told The Associated Press.

Source: thestar February 09, 2020 12:33 UTC