DUBLIN (AP) — As Ireland heads to the polls this Friday, voters are showing increasing frustration with the country’s established political parties. One of the most unusual candidates in the race is Gerry “the Monk” Hutch, a former crime boss with a controversial past, including charges of drug trafficking and robbery. Despite his criminal history, Hutch’s election campaign highlights a message of change. His poster, simple yet direct, states, “We need change, and I’m your man.” On the streets of Dublin, some voters are taking that message seriously.
“I’d love if he got in,” says Derek Richardson, an unemployed Dublin resident who is disillusioned with the major political parties. “There’s plenty of other gangsters out there in suits,” he adds, suggesting that the problem with politics runs deeper than just one candidate’s background.
This sentiment is not unique to Ireland. Across the globe, voters are voicing their dissatisfaction with incumbents, a trend that has led to anti-establishment movements gaining traction. In Ireland, frustration is spreading beyond the ruling center-right parties, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. These two parties have alternated in power for much of the last century, but their coalition government, formed in 2020, now faces growing public opposition. Even Sinn Féin, a left-wing party that once seemed destined for power, is now seeing a dip in support.
Election Dynamics
Ireland’s lower house of parliament, the Dáil, is made up of 174 seats, with voters now deciding who will fill them. Opinion polls suggest a highly fragmented electorate, with support divided fairly evenly among Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Sinn Féin, various smaller parties, and a wide range of independent candidates. These independents span the political spectrum from left to right.
Anne-Marie Kerry, a restaurant worker, sees the appeal in voting for independents, including Hutch. “They’re all criminals anyway,” she says with a shrug, expressing her disillusionment with the political class.
Housing Crisis Takes Center Stage
The biggest issue on voters’ minds is housing. Rents have skyrocketed, with prices rising by 10% in the year leading up to August. There is a severe shortage of affordable homes, with a government housing commission estimating a deficit of up to 256,000 homes. As a result, many young people, including teachers, nurses, and other essential workers, are struggling to find places to live.
Eoin O’Malley, a political science professor at Dublin City University, says the rising cost of living is pushing young people to consider emigration. “Even though there are plenty of jobs, people feel they can’t settle down here,” he explains. “There’s a real fear among middle-class parents that their children may never come back.”
Carole York, a 73-year-old woman who has fought a five-year battle against eviction from her rural home, is one of the many affected by the housing crisis. “There are many elderly people in a similar position to me,” she says. “We’re just being kicked out because of the way property prices are soaring.” York, who has never been interested in politics before, plans to vote for parties that promise to address renters’ rights, such as Sinn Féin or the smaller Labour Party.
Immigration and Public Tensions
Immigration is also a hot topic. About 20% of Ireland’s population was born outside the country, and recent years have seen an influx of newcomers, including 100,000 Ukrainians and thousands of people from the Middle East and Africa. However, this surge has placed pressure on Ireland’s housing system, leading to the creation of tent camps and temporary accommodation centers that have sparked protests and tension.
One incident, a stabbing outside a Dublin school last year, led to widespread rioting, marking some of the worst unrest in Ireland in decades. Although Ireland does not have a major far-right political party, independent candidates with anti-immigrant views are gaining traction in some areas. Hutch himself has expressed support for immigration but insists that migrants should contribute to society and not rely on state benefits.
Caroline Alwright, a fruit vendor in Dublin, shares similar concerns. “The country’s overloaded with refugees, and it’s not right,” she says. “I’m not racist, but we have to look after ourselves because no one else is.”
A Likely Coalition Government
In response to growing public discontent, major political parties are promising to tackle issues like immigration and housing. One advantage for Ireland’s government is its financial resources, partly from a $13.6 billion payment from Apple after a European Union ruling. However, the economic challenges posed by global political shifts, such as the potential impact of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s policies, have not dominated the election discourse.
Prime Minister Simon Harris, leader of Fine Gael, has faced setbacks in his campaign, particularly after an awkward encounter with a disabled care worker went viral. Despite this, Harris remains focused on his message: “This government has weathered significant shocks, and we brought the Irish economy back. Why go back to the starting point?”
Fianna Fail’s leader, Micheál Martin, appears more relaxed on the campaign trail, emphasizing that the current government has navigated several crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine.
Sinn Féin, which advocates for the reunification of Ireland and Northern Ireland, remains a strong contender but is facing difficulties in securing coalition partners. The party’s poll numbers have dropped, in part due to concerns over immigration policies. Nonetheless, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald insists that change is possible, calling on voters to back her party for a real shift in government.
“The change you want is in your hands,” McDonald said during a recent campaign stop in Dublin. “It can’t happen without you.”
Conclusion
As Ireland’s election approaches, the race is still wide open, with the possibility of another Fine Gael-Fianna Fail coalition or the rise of independent candidates like Hutch. Whatever the outcome, one thing is clear: Irish voters are calling for change, and they are ready to punish the political establishment for failing to address the country’s most pressing issues.
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