When the bailout bit last autumn, it looked as though Irish voters might choose the more radical of the credible options. In late 2010, Labour led the polls. But as the moment of choice has drawn nearer, Labour support has faltered, down five points in this week’s poll.
Today, voters seem to be gravitating to the more cautious option of Fine Gael, who may even win an unprecedented overall majority.
Fine Gael are almost as much a part of the old Irish political culture as FF; unlike their rivals, though, they were not holding the parcel when the music stopped.
But Ireland’s voters, like those elsewhere, predictably seem keener on giving the other lot a go than on breaking with the system of which both major parties have long been beneficiaries.
Ireland: A Change Too Far (Guardian)
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