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Negotiations over the formation of a government continued several months after the February elections, culminating this week in a coalition agreement between Fiana Fail, her fierce former rival Fine Gael and the Greens.
The coalition agreement stipulates that Fiana Fail and Fine Gael will share the position of prime minister on a rotating basis: first Martin will head the government and then L. Varadkar will return to the position of prime minister.
“To be chosen to work in the free republic of Taoiseach [ministru pirmininku] it is one of the highest honors anyone can receive, “Martin told Parliament.
According to him, the biggest problem facing Ireland right now is the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
“At the same time, we know that there are other important challenges that we faced before the pandemic that remain unresolved,” added the Prime Minister-elect.
Among these challenges, Martin mentioned the lack of affordable housing, long queues at hospitals, and climate change.
Ireland also faces a blow to the economy in the event of a potential Brexito without a contract.
Later, Irish President Michael Higgins presented the 59-year-old political veteran with the Prime Minister’s seal.
Martin will announce the composition of his new cabinet later on Saturday.
They took over Fine Gael’s center-right leader, Varadkar, after a historic reconciliation between Ireland’s two main parties that ended decades of political confrontation.
Varadkar said the coalition agreement meant that “the civil war in our parliament is coming to an end today.”
“Two main parties are joining forces with another important party, the Green Party, to offer what the country needs: a stable government for a better country and a better world,” added the outgoing prime minister.
Under the agreement, Fine Gael will regain the post of prime minister in late 2022.
Sinn Fein – restricted
The two center-right parties needed the support of the Greens to secure an active majority of 160 seats in the Irish parliament. Together, they will control 85 mandates.
In the February elections, Fianna Fail won the most seats: 38. At that time, Fine Gael secured 35 seats and the Greens 12 seats.
Green Party leader Eimon Ryan spoke of the “difficult decisions” awaiting the coalition, especially in the economic field.
It should be noted that this political agreement separated the Republican “Sinn Fein” party from the left wing of power.
Sinn Fein, who previously played a minor political role and was historically associated with the paramilitary Irish Republican Army (IRA), won 24.5 percent of the vote. priority votes and won 37 seats in parliament, making it the second largest parliamentary party. It is projected to become the main opposition party.
The coalition deal angered Sinn Fein members. Party leader Mary Lou McDonald told parliament that the new coalition was “out of necessity, not out of ambition.”
The politician said the February vote was an “election for change” and that the country’s people had given his party the mandate to be in government because they voted “for justice, progress and a new direction in the Irish politics. “
“Faced with the prospect of losing power, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have taken defensive positions,” he added.
Analysts say Sinn Fein can benefit from its position as a major opposition party in the wake of the global health and economic crisis.
“The mere fact that the old political parties are building certain obstacles on our way will not stop us,” said McDonald.
“We will be the most effective opposition,” added Rep. Michelle O’Neill. “We can take great steps forward.”
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