Ireland: coalition agreement found for new government

Text by: RFI Follow

More than four months after the parliamentary elections, a coalition agreement was found in Ireland. It includes the two traditional parties, the Fine Gael and the Fianna Fail, and the Green Party, but not the leading Sinn Fein nationalists.

Publicity

With our correspondent in Dublin, Emeline Vin

The Green Party's leg is very present in this government program found on Monday. Among the measures accepted by Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, both of which are center-right, include increasing the carbon tax, more investment in public transport and the renovation of poorly insulated housing.

In exchange, Fine Gael succeeded in having the increase in wealth tax ruled out. The program entitled “Our shared future” also contains free female contraception, the opening of the debate on medical cannabis and new rights for tenants. 

The post of Prime Minister shared

Never Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, both centenarians, have governed together. Another novelty: the agreement provides for the sharing of the post of Prime Minister. It will first go to Michael Martin, head of Fianna Fail who weighs the heaviest in this future coalition. The boss of Fine Gael will take over in December 2022.

The government program must be validated internally by each of the three parties. The results will be announced by the end of next week, with a government formation possibly in stride.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

• Ireland

On the same subject

Brexit: Ireland steps up preparations and stands ready in case of no deal