Simon Harris becomes Ireland’s youngest-ever prime minister
Al JazeeraMar 29
Irish Prime Minister to Call General Election This Week
Above: Taoiseach Simon Harris speaking to members of the media outside Government Building in Dublin, Ireland, on Oct. 30, 2024. Image copyright: Niall Carson/Contributor/PA Images via Getty Images
The Facts
Ireland's Prime Minister Simon Harris announced on Tuesday that he will dissolve the Dáil, or Irish parliament, later this week and call a snap general election.
Harris, who leads the ruling Fine Gael Party, will reportedly ask the president to dissolve the parliament on Thursday, with the election expected on Nov. 29.
The Spin
Narrative A
While this decision might make electoral sense, Harris should be using his party's popularity to pass legislation. The Irish people care about housing, health care, and supporting Palestine, not preparing for snap election campaigns. This might result in the exact opposite of the outcome the prime minister is hoping for.
Narrative B
Despite a brief boost in polls, Simon Harris and Fine Gael face more skepticism than they'd like to admit. Fine Gael’s 13-year tenure, eight of which saw Harris in government, has seen housing, health care, justice, and immigration issues worsen. As roughly half of the party's members of parliament aren't seeking reelection, it appears the Fine Gael regime may finally be coming to an end.