Fine Gael lays out condition for coalition deal with Fianna Fáil as counts end
Fine Gael will insist on “parity of esteem” with Fianna Fáil as a basic condition in any coalition agreement, despite a 10-seat gap between the two parties.
Senior figures in Fine Gael are nervous that Fianna Fáil, now the largest party in the Dáil, will squeeze its likely partner in negotiations on a new programme for government expected to commence in coming weeks. “Parity of esteem is the glue that keeps a coalition together,” said one senior Fine Gael figure.
The election 2024 count was completed late last night after Cavan-Monaghan called final results. Fianna Fáil won the most seats (48), followed by Sinn Féin (39), Fine Gael (38), Labour (11), Social Democrats (11), Independents (23), People Before Profit-Solidarity (3), Aontú (2) and the Green Party (1).
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