After four months of negotiation, a proposed Programme for Government between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party could give the 26 County state the largest right-wing government it has seen for decades. And exclude Sinn Féin.
The draft plan for a five-year coalition government being circulated by Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar (left), Green party leader Eamon Ryan (centre) and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin (right) could finally bring together the parties arising from both sides of the civil war, propped up in power by the Greens.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty said the deal is “not the change that people voted for” and warned Green party members were being asked to endorse a plan that would do “significant damage to the environmental movement”.
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil or their predecessors have alternated in government in Dublin since the 1920s. After a dire performance in the 26 County general election in February, when Sinn Féin emerged as the largest party, they now need the support of a left-leaning party to form a new government between them.
The parliamentary parties of all three parties are due to hold online meetings this evening the ratify the deal ahead of votes of the party memberships.
Fianna Fail have said they expect Michel Martin will be the next Taoiseach as part of a rotation of the position between the parties.
