Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou MacDonald rules out resignation over 'disappointing' double election results Author: CLODAGH KILCOYNE/REUTERS < p>Sinn Fein was defeated by the incumbent Irish government parties in local and European elections, despite leading the polls for much of the last two years.
Prime Minister Simon Harris' Fine Gael party and his center-right coalition colleagues Fianna Fáil won the results, leading to calls for his party to call a snap general election.
The turnaround comes just two months after of Mr Harris replacing Leo Varadkar as chairman after the former leader resigned, saying he was not the right man to lead Fine Gael at an election.
Simon Harris, Ireland's youngest president, has until March next year to call a general election. Photo: DANIEL STORAN/P AWIRE
Independents also performed well, with anti-migrant candidates exploiting Sinn Féin's hesitation over illegal immigration in a country hit by a housing crisis.
Mary Lou McDonald, Sinn Féin leader has ruled out resigning but admitted the results were “disappointing” and the party now has a “job to do” to win back voters.
“That did not happen”. Our day [and] frustration – or rather anger – with government policy in this case has translated into votes for independents and others,” she said.
Mr Harris, dubbed TikTok by the taoiseach, for his skillful use social media, succeeded Mr Varadkar and became Ireland's youngest leader at 37.
Mary Lou Macdonald's Party for has been leading in public opinion polls for the past two years. Photo: BRIAN LAWLESS/PA WIRE
Eight weeks later, he said he was “thrilled” with Monday's results. But he has ruled out calling a snap general election, due by March next year.
I think what people across the country want from me is my job,” Mr Harris said to journalists when pressed.
“I have been the head of this country for 61 days. They want me to bring energy not only to the election campaign but also to solving some of the problems, including those that in the past seemed intractable, and that is my absolute determination.”
Sinn Féin scored just 11 .86 points. per cent of the local vote, with 85 per cent of the ballots counted, Fine Gael received 23 per cent and Fianna Fail 22.88 per cent. Independent candidates received 28.4 per cent of the vote.
Before the final European election results were confirmed in Sunday's double election, Fianna Fáil had won 16.5 per cent of the EU vote, Fine Gael had 16.28 per cent and Sinn Féin – 12.26 percent.
Simon Harris has bypassed Sinn Fein by recognizing Palestine as a state. Photo: CLAUDHA KILCOYNE/REUTERS
Sinn Féin's bashing has been blamed on fielding too many candidates and on Mr Harris. ' shrewd politicking since taking power.
On May 28, the government recognized Palestine as a state, overtaking Sinn Féin as the most pro-Palestinian party in the country, which fiercely opposes Israel's war in the Gaza Strip.
He pushed for tougher language and policies on illegal immigration. Mr Harris also had a controversial diplomatic row with Britain over migrants fleeing Britain to Ireland because of the Rwanda plan.
The results also show Sinn Féin struggled to convince voters that she has a credible plan to alleviate the situation. There is a serious housing crisis in Ireland, despite the party making it a central part of its campaign.
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