The chances of a coalition government between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are higher than ever, following comments by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney. The idea that Ireland’s two traditionally largest parties could form a government is a recent one, but it appears to be gaining traction.
Mr Coveney, who may be positioning himself for a future run at the Fine Gael leadership, said that he had no principled objection to working with Fianna Fáil and that there are many good people in that party.
The collapse in support for Labour and the rise of Sinn Féin has left Fine Gael looking for a new coalition partner. Both traditional parties have ruled out working with Sinn Féin, and if Fine Gael emerges as the largest party in the next Dáil, it may need Fianna Fáil votes to form a government.