Irish centre-right parties agree coalition government with independents

Negotiators for Ireland's two main centre-right parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, secured a deal on Tuesday for a coalition government with a group of seven independent lawmakers, according to The Irish Times.

The agreement, pending internal ratification by the two parties, would see the role of prime minister (Taoiseach) again rotate between Fianna Fáil's Micheál Martin and Fine Gael's Simon Harris. As Fianna Fáil is the largest party, Martin would take the helm first.

The two parties have been in a coalition with a similar arrangement since 2020. However, a general election on 29 November all but wiped out their third partner, the Green Party.

Although Fianna Fáil increased its share of seats in the national parliament (Dáil), the two partners still needed to find a new third partner to command a majority.

The coalition deal would give seats in the cabinet, the top tier of government, to two lawmakers – called Teachta Dála (TDs) – from the seven-member Regional Independent Group (RIG).

The two positions are known as 'super junior' ministries because the portfolios would not normally merit seats in the cabinet. Two more TDs from the RIG would serve as junior ministers.

Fianna Fáil would get eight cabinet seats and Fine Gael seven – arguably a victory for the smaller partner, given Fianna Fáil substantially increased its lead in the Dáil.

According to the Irish Independent, Eurogroup President Paschal Donohoe of Fine Gael would return as finance minister. He previously held the position during 2017-2022 before the job went to Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath, who left the Irish government last year to become EU justice commissioner.

Donohoe has served as minister of public expenditure since 2022, alongside his Eurogroup role.

The Irish Times cites anonymous sources who say Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael should be able to complete their respective ratification processes in time for the Dáil meeting scheduled for Wednesday next week.

Before Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael entered into a formal coalition in 2020, Fianna Fáil propped up a minority Fine Gael government during 2016-2020 in a "confidence and supply" deal.

The ideological differences between the two parties are slight. Both are socially liberal by European standards, but Fine Gael more so than Fianna Fáil. However, Fine Gael is the more fiscally conservative of the pair.

Nevertheless, they were the main rivals of Irish politics for most of the last century, having grown from the opposing sides in the 1922-1923 Irish Civil War.

[Edited by Martina Monti]