A recent opinion poll indicates that support for Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has dropped by 11 percentage points following the controversy involving presidential candidate Jim Gavin, marking his lowest personal rating in five years, reports RTE.
The same poll also shows that Fianna Fáil’s overall support has declined by 5%, bringing the party’s current standing to 17%, reports RTE.
In contrast, Sinn Féin now holds a commanding lead, with the poll indicating a 5% boost in backing, raising its support level to 27%.
Fine Gael’s support has edged up by 1% to 18%, Labour has increased by 2% to 6%, the Social Democrats have slipped by 1% to 5%, and Aontú has seen a 1% gain to reach 3%, reports RTE.
Support for the Green Party, People Before Profit-Solidarity, and Independent Ireland has remained steady at 3%, 2%, and 2% respectively, while Independents and other unaffiliated candidates are unchanged at 17%.
Conducted by Ipsos and Behaviour & Attitudes for the Irish Times, the poll—based on face-to-face interviews with 1,200 people between 12–14 October—has a margin of error of ±2.8%.
This polling period followed closely on the heels of Mr Martin facing considerable scrutiny over his leadership in light of Mr Gavin’s unprecedented withdrawal from the presidential race despite having been officially nominated, reports RTE.
Mr Martin had played a central role in persuading his party to endorse Mr Gavin as their nominee.
Today’s poll suggests that Mr Martin’s approval as party leader has plummeted by 11 percentage points to 33%, marking his lowest level in the Ipsos and Behaviour & Attitudes surveys since 2020.
However, when respondents were asked directly whether Mr Martin should have stepped down as Fianna Fáil leader due to the controversy, 51% said he should not, while 32% believed he should, reports RTE.
According to the same survey, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has seen a 3% rise in personal support, bringing her to 39%, while Fine Gael’s Simon Harris has experienced a 3% decline, putting his support at 35%, reports RTE.
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