Varadkar and Martin hope to sign a framework document for the coalition



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Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil are expected to sign a framework document on Tuesday on how a coalition government would work between its two parties.

The document is expected to include commitments that there will be no income tax increases during the life of the next government, speeding up the implementation of the Sláintecare plan, testing a state child care scheme, and increasing the delivery of affordable and social housing, among other issues.

It is understood that both Mr. Martin and Mr. Varadkar will discuss on Tuesday how to approach other parties and groups with the document. Between them, the two parties have 72 Dáil seats, eight fewer than most, and both have said they want a smaller third party and some independents in a coalition government.

The framework document is said to be light on specific policy measures, but rather is intended to be “designed to invite” other parties such as the Social Democrats, Greens, and Labor.

So far, Social Democrats have said that their policies would be incompatible with a Fine Gael-Flanna Fáil government. Labor has said they want to go into opposition, and the Greens are calling for a government of national unity.

Social contract

The framework document is based on a series of “missions”, and tries to face the Covid-19 crisis, rebuild the economy in its wake and tackle the problems that arose in the general elections, such as health and housing . It will also seek to build a new “social contract”.

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