Ireland has a new government more than four months after the elections. The two large center-right parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael form a coalition together with the Green Party. That means that the winner of the election, Sinn Fein, remains in the opposition.
In the elections in early February, left-wing nationalist Sinn Fein, originally created as the political arm of the IRA terrorist movement, was nipped the most votes. That was a surprise: Ireland has been ruled by either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael for decades.
climate
Both sides had previously ruled out sharing power with Sinn Fein and are now forming a coalition together for the first time in history. After lengthy negotiations, they signed an agreement with the Green Party as the third coalition partner.
In exchange for the support for the two center-right parties, the greens have been promised that the cabinet will make a major commitment to the climate.
Alternating premiership
Micheál Martin of Fianna Fáil is sworn in as Prime Minister today. In 2.5 years, he will be relieved by Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar, who has been prime minister of a minority government in recent years.
–
