2024-11-07 01:08:53 :
(Bloomberg) — Ireland is heading to a snap general election, with Prime Minister Simon Harris taking advantage of favorable poll numbers and slumping support for the main opposition Sinn Fein party, which has been embroiled in a series of scandals.
Harris said the vote will be held on November 29, although he does not need to call the election before March 2025. The announcement was widely expected after a giveaway budget in October was seen as an effort to win over voters.
Harris, 38, took over as leader of Fine Gael, the main party in the coalition government, in April, becoming Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister, or Taoiseach.
He has to deal with the immigration crisis, as well as frustrations with housing and health care, but so far he’s generally enjoying a honeymoon period with voters. Meanwhile, rival Sinn Féin has seen its support plummet from its highs in recent years and is now trailing in the polls.
Harris has promised to bring new ideas to the table on issues like immigration and has benefited from having the resources to get the public on her side. Tax revenues from multinational companies such as Google and Amazon, as well as a one-time back tax payment of 14 billion euros ($15 billion) from Apple, have put the country on track to post a huge fiscal surplus this year.
Harris spent some of that on a €10.5 billion budget that includes a number of tax credits and additional welfare payments before Christmas.
Harris announced the date on RTE television. He will seek the dissolution of the House of Representatives from the president on Friday.
“I look forward to the coming weeks and ask the people of Ireland for their mandate,” Harris said.
Immigration is likely to be a major issue in the election. While Ireland does not have a single large far-right party like the Alternative for Germany or the French National Rally, there has been an increase in support for independent anti-immigration figures.
The country was rocked by violent unrest late last year, with ongoing protests outside asylum seekers’ homes and clashes with police.
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