Monday, May 01, 2006
Rising support for Fianna Fáil
RTE reports that an opinion poll in yesterday's Sunday Business Post has shown a big rise in support for Fianna Fáil, with the party gaining five percentage points since the newspaper's last poll a month ago.The poll makes for grim reading for many of the other parties however, particularly Fine Gael and Sinn Féin, who are down two and three percentage points respectively.
Fianna Fáil now have 38% support, Fine Gael have 23% while Sinn Féin will be disappointed that they stand at a mere 8%.
Elsewhere, Labour is unchanged at 11%, the Green Party is unchanged at 7%, as are the PDs at 4% and others at 9%.
This poll suggests that there's plenty still to play for at the next general election but I must admit that I'm surprised at the standing of Sinn Féin. I had expected them to profit from the recent Easter Rising celebrations at the expense of some of the other parties but it seems Fianna Fáil have succeeded in profiting at their expense.
I don't think the Easter Rising parade should be regarded as the decisive factor in these results though. As Bill Clinton once said, "It's the economy stupid" and I think when it comes to economic issues, many Irish people look on Sinn Féin as a risky vote.
I personally feel that Sinn Féin's economic policies will be their undoing in next year's elections here in the Republic.
# posted by United Irelander @ 12:02 AM 
© 2008 United Irelander.
