The outgoing government was led by the two parties that have dominated Irish politics for the past century: Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. They have similar policies, but are longtime rivals with origins on opposing sides of Ireland’s 1920s civil war. After the 2020 election ended in a virtual dead heat, they formed a coalition.

The parties may face prolonged negotiations or an unstable coalition ahead of the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose pledge to slash corporate tax and impose tariffs poses a major threat to the Irish economy.

Sinn Féin, the former political arm of the IRA, is hoping Ireland's 2024 election will bring it to power for the first time ever.

In a northeast neighborhood of the capital city, deprivation and affluence exist side-by-side, and many voters feel frustrated by the status quo.

Irish election posters hang from lampposts in Dublin City centre, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, ahead of Ireland’s election on Friday. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison) Micheal Martin, center, Tanaiste of Ireland and leader of Fianna Fail meets pupils at St Seton’s Secondary School in Ballyfermot,

Counting begins in Ireland as the ruling center-right coalition looks set for re-election:::: Dublin, IrelandThe exit poll put the left wing Sinn Fein on 21.1%, the center-right Fine Gael of Prime Minister Simon Harris on 21.

Vote counting is underway in Ireland’s national election. An exit poll suggests the contest is a close-fought race among the country’s three largest political parties.