Ireland elections: Counting under way, exit poll shows tight three-way race

Ireland is currently tallying votes from general elections, with an exit poll suggesting a close race between the left-wing Sinn Fein and the centre-right parties Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. The counting began on Saturday with partial results expected throughout the day, but a final result may take days due to Ireland’s proportional representation system. Sinn Fein led with 21.1 percent of the vote in the exit poll, followed by Fine Gael at 21 percent and Fianna Fail at 19.5 percent. If the poll is accurate, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are likely to hold onto power but would need to form a coalition with smaller parties to secure a majority. The election campaign was marked by issues such as housing, cost-of-living, public spending, and immigration. Sinn Fein hopes to oust the centre-right parties and create a new government for change. The economy’s reliance on foreign investment and corporate tax returns, as well as concerns over potential tariffs from the US, have also played a role in the election. Sinn Fein, despite winning the popular vote in the previous election, could not form a coalition and is now presenting itself as the only alternative to the long-standing dominance of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail in Irish politics.

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