(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Ireland’s governing party continues to be the most popular political organization in the country, according to a poll by Red C published in the Sunday Business Post. 40 per cent of respondents would vote for Fianna Fáil in the next legislative election, unchanged since April.

Fine Gael is second with 25 per cent—down three points in two months—followed by the Labour party with 10 per cent, Sinn Fein also with 10 per cent, the Greens with seven per cent, and the Progressive Democrats with two per cent.

In May 2007, Irish voters renewed the House of Representatives. Fianna Fáil finished in first place with 41.6 per cent of the vote and 78 lawmakers, followed by Fine Gael with 27.3 per cent and 51 legislators, and Labour with 10.1 per cent and 20 representatives. In June, Bertie Ahern was ratified as prime minister, with the support of Fianna Fáil, six Green lawmakers, two members of the Progressive Democrats and four independents.

In the 1990s, a public inquiry was established to investigate corruption allegations related to the issuing of planning and zoning permits in Ireland. Ahern faced an investigation by the so-called Mahon Tribunal. Ahern’s involvement in the corruption scandal practically paralyzed the legislature earlier this year.

Several fellow party members had called for Ahern—who had served as head of government since June 1997—to resign in order to protect the party from the damages caused by the investigation. In May, Ahern stepped down and Fianna Fáil lawmakers chose finance minister Brian Cowen to replace him as leader and prime minister.

On Jun. 24, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) released a study, which claimed that Ireland is facing its first economic recession since 1983. Irish finance minister Brian Lenihan commented on the findings, saying they are "a wake up call," but adding that he does not expect Ireland to fall into recession this year.

Polling Data

What party would you support in the next general election?

Source: Red C / Sunday Business Post
Methodology: Interviews with 1,000 Irish adults, conducted from Jun. 13 to Jun. 15, 2008. No margin of error was provided.

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