Speaking outside government buildings in Dublin, Harris declared that it was the "right time" to seek a new mandate from the Irish people.

Shortly after his announcement, Harris met with President Michael D. Higgins at Áras an Uachtaráin to request the dissolution of the current Dáil (Irish Parliament's lower house). By Irish law, elections must be held within 30 days of the Dáil’s dissolution.

In his statement, Harris encouraged Irish voters to "value your vote" and stressed that, in exchange for their votes, they are "entitled to good government and hard work." He expressed pride in the coalition government’s "real progress," while also thanking Fine Gael’s partners, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party. "We did not agree on every issue," he acknowledged, "but we did always work hard together for the good of the Irish people."

A Competitive Election Landscape

With three weeks of campaigning ahead, Harris underscored the importance of a "safe and respectful campaign." He called the election a critical opportunity to weigh "different visions for Ireland's economic and social future."

Meanwhile, Micheál Martin, Fianna Fáil’s leader, confirmed his party would stand independently in the election, ruling out alliances with both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin. Martin emphasized the value of debate in democracy, noting that "debate is the lifeblood of democracy and elections."

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald, launching her party’s campaign, characterized this election as an "election of a lifetime," highlighting a historic chance to elect a government without Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil. McDonald also rejected the notion that recent controversies would impact Sinn Féin’s performance, stating that her party is entering the campaign "strong and determined."

Changes in Constituencies and Increased Seats

This election will see an increase in both Dáil constituencies and seats, following a 2023 review. The number of constituencies has risen to 43, with a total of 174 seats up for grabs — 14 more than in 2020. To form a majority government, a coalition will require 88 TDs (members of parliament).

The current coalition government, led by Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, and the Green Party, was formed after the 2020 election, where Fianna Fáil won the most seats (38), but fell short of a majority. Sinn Féin, now the main opposition with a historic 37 seats, currently leads the opposition.

With the deadline for candidate nominations set for November 16 at noon, Ireland’s political landscape is poised for a significant shake-up as parties prepare for what many are calling a landmark election. (ILKHA)