Irish Parties 2011

In the first election since the controversial bank bailout, Labour can be expected to do extraordinarily well. The most likely outcome for Ireland’s mercurial main parties is a Fine Gael/Labour coalition, with Fianna Fáil probably receiving the biggest hammering of its life. Ironically, Fine Gael — historically more pro-business — is likely to prove even more accommodating of banking interests. In any event all three parties — and even the Greens — are committed to complying with IMF and EU strictures concerning banks and bond markets.

The lingering economic influence of the Progressive Democrats - no longer part of the political landscape - can be seen in the main parties’ increased acceptance of neo-liberalism, to a greater or lesser degree.

The left is expected to do comparatively well in the present political climate, with a loosely constructed alliance of progressive parties comprising also disenchanted voters from the left flanks of Labour and Fianna Fáil.