Ireland has proved a partial exception to the anti-incumbent mood in elections around the world. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which have dominated Irish politics for a century, remain in the driving seat, though their combined share of the vote has declined to just over 40%.

Virtually everyone of voting age in Ireland can remember what happened in 2008, when the worldwide financial crisis destroyed the "Celtic Tiger" bubble of the '90s and left the country virtually bankrupt,

Voters across Ireland cast their ballots in the country’s general election on 29 November. First preference vote shares indicated that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are set to continue their coalition as support for Sinn Féin declines.

Ireland's two large centre-right parties looked set to be returned to power after an election on Friday, but will likely need at least one smaller partner to secure a majority, raising questions over the stability of the next government.

At one level, the vote was an endorsement of continuity, but the stability in Ireland’s political center ground masked volatility on the fringes.

Results from Ireland's election suggest the two dominant center-right parties look likely to form a new government.

Counting has begun in the Irish general election, as exit polls suggest a close contest between the three major parties.