PREVIEW

Ireland Votes in General Election Amid Uncertain Outcomes. Polling stations have opened across Ireland today following a brief three-week election campaign. Three main party leaders, Fine Gael's Simon Harris, Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin, and Sinn Féin's Mary Lou McDonald, are competing to become Ireland’s next taoiseach. A coalition government is inevitable as no party has fielded enough candidates to secure a majority in parliament. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, traditionally rival center-right parties, have ruled out forming a coalition with left-wing Sinn Féin. Despite winning the most votes in 2020, Sinn Féin has never been part of the Irish government. Voters will decide the fate of 174 parliamentary seats across 43 constituencies, with more than 680 candidates, including smaller parties and independents, in the race. Counting begins Saturday morning after polls close at 10 p.m., with an exit poll expected shortly after voting ends. Ireland’s single transferable vote system, where voters rank candidates, may delay the final results for several days. Campaign discussions were dominated by pressing issues like housing, the economy, and immigration policies. This election could reshape Ireland's political landscape, depending on coalition negotiations following the results.
Instructions: THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT