Fianna Fail tumbles

The party lost a quarter of its council seats in a disastrous showing described by one Fianna Fail government minister as a “kicking.” Many of Fianna Fail’s seats fell to an ascendant Sinn Fein, which increased its support by 4.5 percent. This was underlined by the loss of two European seats, including that of Fianna Fail stalwart Gerard Collins in the South constituency.
It was Fianna Fail’s worst election results since the 1920s.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern acknowledged that his party had lost the local elections to Sinn Fein and promised a major reshuffle of his government in September. He said that voters were clearly unhappy with the policies his government had pursued and singled out health as a key area where voters felt Fianna Fail had failed to deliver.
“There is no doubt about it, it was a bad election for us, there is no doubt about that, the people have spoken,” Ahern said.
The results have split the coalition government, with Tanaiste Mary Harney calling for immediate action on transportation and health reform. But several Fianna Fail backbenchers have attacked Harney’s Progressive Democrats as being to blame for anti-government feeling among voters.
However, members of the Fianna Fail parliamentary party attacked the government’s track record when they met in Leinster House Monday night, though it is thought they refrained from attacking Ahern directly. Speculation has surrounded the taoiseach’s future with some observers believing he may take the job of European Union commissioner. However, Ahern has ruled this out, saying he planned to lead Fianna Fail into the next government.
Labor recorded a slight increase at a local level, while Fine Gael surprised many commentators with an improved showing on its percentage share from the 2002 Dail elections. Leader Enda Kenny welcomed the increases and predicted that his party would form the central element of an alternative coalition government in the next general election.
It was Sinn Fein, however, that proved to be the story of the elections. Winning seats throughout the state, Sinn Fein’s biggest breakthrough was in Dublin, where it topped the poll in numerous city wards. It was here that the party also claimed its first European seat. Mary Lou McDonald secured the fourth seat in the tight constituency late on Sunday night.
The gains have prompted some commentators to suggest that Sinn Fein is now set to claim up to 12 seats in the next Dail elections, making it a possible contender for coalition government.
Sinn Fein’s chief negotiator, Martin McGuinness, said the party had not only attracted disillusioned Fianna Fail supporters but had mobilized a section of the electorate who had never voted before. The surge in support for Sinn Fein caused concern among the other opposition parties, most notably Labor, which would have expected to be the main beneficiaries of anti-government feeling.
However, Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams said his party would not be rushing to join Fianna Fail in any coalition government.
“It was always a mistake for parties like the Labor Party, which argue that they are radical and progressive, to be even contemplating going into coalition,” he said. “Instead of being the vanguard of Labor they become the mudguard.
“If we were going to contemplate involvement with any other party in opposition or government they would have to be good on the North,” he added.