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#EP2019 #Ireland – Polls show Fine Gael maintaining a secure lead and a Green surge

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The Irish Green Party saw a huge surge in support in the European elections, according to exit polls. It could now be on course to win three out of Ireland's 11 European Parliament seats. Following Brexit, the country will be entitled to two further seats in the Parliament, writes Catherine Feore.

Reacting to the results, the leader of the Irish Green Party Eamon Ryan said: “We cannot yet count our chickens but the exit polls for the Irish Greens are extremely encouraging. Our MEP candidates Ciarán Cuffe (pictured), Saoirse McHugh and Grace O'Sullivan have put their heart and soul into campaigning across the three constituencies over the past few months. It would be a huge opportunity for them to work at a European level to deliver more affordable, quality housing, climate protection and better public transport that would bring life back to local communities.”

The European Green Party’s co-leader for ‘Spizenkandidat’ Bas Eickhout said: “The people of Ireland have shown they want to elect representatives capable of delivering climate action at a local and European level. If elected, the Irish MEPs will play a vital role in representing the Green, progressive and Irish voice at the European level. I congratulate the Irish Greens on a vibrant campaign that has crossed rural boundaries and clearly won the trust of local communities across the country.”

Reacting to the success of the Irish Greens Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that it was a “clear message” from the public that they want the government to "act faster", and take more action to address climate change.


Varadkar’s Fine Gael (EPP) gained an extra 7% of the vote compared to 2014. Fianna Fail (ALDE, thought sat with ECR in the last parliament) who currently share power lost 6% of their vote. The Greens didn’t win any seats at the last European elections, essentially punished for its participation in a Fianna Fail coalition of government of that time, they gained an additional 10% of the vote. Sinn Fein (GUE/NGL) have expressed disappointment with a loss of 7% of the vote.

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Ireland’s “Irexit” Irish Freedom Party led by Nigel Farage’s chief bag carrier Hermann Kelly appear to have fared very badly indeed. It turns out that the idea of leaving the European Union and opposing the Irish border backstop agreement is unpopular with Irish voters.

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