Dublin: The latest opinion poll conducted by the Irish Times/Ipsos Group indicates that Sinn Féin is set to continue its dominance as Ireland’s largest single party in the upcoming elections. With just nine months until local elections and 18 months before the next general election, Sinn Féin has surged ahead with a substantial 14 percent lead over its closest competitors.
At present, Sinn Féin commands an impressive 34 percent of the public’s support, marking a three-point increase. This growing popularity can be attributed to mounting dissatisfaction with the current government. In contrast, Fianna Fáil has seen a significant 20 percent drop, while Fine Gael maintains an 18 percent share, remaining unchanged.
Support for smaller parties like the Social Democrats and the Green Party has dwindled, while independents are gaining ground, now comprising 22 percent of the electorate.
Sinn Féin’s leader, Mary Lou McDonald, remains the most popular party leader, with a 42 percent approval rating, narrowly surpassing Fianna Fáil’s Michael Martin at 41 percent.
As Ireland inches closer to its next elections, Sinn Féin appears poised to maintain its position as a formidable political force, reflecting the prevailing sentiment among Irish voters.