Dublin: As Ireland’s local elections draw near, immigration has emerged as a pivotal issue, with recent opinion polls indicating strong anti-immigration sentiment among voters. A Sunday Times poll conducted from May 8 to 15 revealed that over half of the nation fears immigration and supports stricter controls. This contrasts with a previous Irish Times poll predicting gains for Fine Gael and a decline for Sinn Féin.
Independent candidates are set to play a crucial role, with their support rising from 17% to 19%. Among their supporters, 68% advocate for tighter immigration restrictions.
Sinn Féin remains the leading party with 27% support, though 56% of its voters are anti-immigrant. Fine Gael’s popularity has dipped to 19%, with 51% of its voters favoring more controls. Fianna Fáil’s support holds steady at 16%, with 47% of its supporters backing stricter immigration policies.
Only 12% of those polled support easing immigration restrictions, while 10% prefer the status quo. Older voters, homeowners, and native-born citizens are more likely to favor stronger controls, with significant support for such measures across various demographics.