Dublin MEP Frances FitzGerald has said the war in Ukraine is partially to blame for Sinn Féin’s commanding lead over Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in the polls.
In the last election 24.5% of Irish people gave Sinn Féin their first preference and the party won 37 seats.
However, according to a Business Post/ Red C poll, the party is now more popular than both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil combined and 36% of people would vote for Mary Lou’s McDonald’s party if an election were held tomorrow.
Fine Gael would poll 20%, while Fianna Fáil would receive the support of 15% of voters and the Greens 5%.
Independents would win 11% of the vote, while Labour would receive 3% support and the Social Democrats 4%.
Solidarity-PBP is at 3% and Aontú on 2%.
02/07/2020. Covid-19 Pandemic (Coronavirus), Ireland, Lockdown Day 98 Day 04 of Phase three. Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald before she announced the makeup of Sinn Féin's new Dáil frontbench team at the Dail (Leinster House) Photo: Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie“[There’s] very strong support for Sinn Féin in this poll once again,” the former Tánaiste admitted to On The Record with Gavan Reilly.
“But two years out from an election, obviously it’s a reflection of the moment in time, how the public are looking at the issues.
“Not surprising in some ways given the challenges of the cost of living, housing, the Ukrainian war - the impact that that’s having.
“It’s a hugely challenging time to be in Government.”
Ukraine and the economy
When the war began in February economists predicted that it would send global food prices soaring and sanctions against Russia have hit western economies as well.
In April Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that the package of measures against Russia were necessary due to Moscow’s “barbaric crimes” but admitted they would impact the Irish economy as well.
Globally, the price of food is now 30% higher than it was in 2021 and the European Commission says that Moscow has targeted supply chains in Ukraine on purpose.
“We know that Vladimir Putin is targeting food production, food stores, food producing equipment in his attacks in Ukraine,” Commissioner Mairead McGuinness told The Anton Savage Show last week.
“He’s hitting farm yards and silos and all of those things and that, in my view, is a deliberate effort to reduce the supply of vital grain for the global market, hitting the most vulnerable and therefore causing disruption and social unrest.”
Main image: Then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald at the official opening of LinkedIn's new Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) HQ in Dublin.
