General Irish politics discussion thread

There-in lies the conundrum, is a GE different?

I think it is - but not in the way that would help the far-right. If a far-right agitator was to get traction it would be at a vote that people view as being a second tier vote, so locals or Euros. When it comes to the general election people are less likely to give a vote to a loon.

Hopefully you are correct.

That’s kind of my thinking on it. We saw with Brexit how the impact of the negotiations and chaos there favoured the centre in terms of polling (and the 2019 elections). Once that was “solved”, people’s heads swung back to “management” issues during the 2020 election.

For workers, I think the uncertainty of Trump will put into perspective the economy more than it did previously.

I think this presents an opportunity for the likes of PbP who have a ready baked alternative message on what Ireland can be.

I think there is a tricky message here for SF who have run to the centre in terms of globalisation / FDI. For SF I am not sure they can take the “harder” position on Israel as much now as well as you have such an Israel hawk in the White Houses. I don’t think it is credible that SF could now run to a more anti U.S. message in the round. I don’t think the leaked email from the U.S. Ambassador on the Occupied Territories Bill will be as impactful now that people see a nutter in the WH and a threat to their incomes.

The emphasis of the governing parties will be on maintaining the relations that we have and how Ireland successfully navigated both the previous Trump era and Brexit. People can give out about Palestine but people care about their own patch first and foremost.

I don’t think the far right thing is that much impacted in that I think they already had their patch.

Is there any political party that wants us to join NATO? I don't think there is but I'm open to correction. Neutrality saved a lot of lives during the 2nd world war, and that resonates with a lot of people

Trump winning, on paper, is really bad for Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan, the climate and NATO. However you have to remember that Trump speaks a lot of hot air as well. It's certainly notable that Zelensky is cosying up to Trump this morning

ireland cant be compared to the might of america in relation to military, we d have to continually invest all our current and future surpluses, in order to get anywhere near, and best of luck with resolving issues such as health and housing under that

Simon Harris has confirmed on the Six One News that the Dáil will be dissolved on Friday. I am shocked! 😐

Taoiseach says general election will be called on Friday

Micheal stole his thunder an hour or so earlier.

we have been facilitating largely american multinationals for decades, some of which have been playing a part in global military operations, and we ve been bending our so called neutrality also, this has been mutually beneficially to all, in particular us, we re far from spongers, we re knee deep in this game!