Ireland's governing coalition voted out in general election

Feb 29, 2016, 04:39

Sinn Fein party leader Gerry Adams, left, and party member Imelda Munster speak to the media as they arrive at the count centre in Dundalk, Ireland, Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016.

A significant protest vote against the government parties has seen success for independent, anti-austerity candidates.

Initial results indicated Fine Gael would still be the largest party in parliament, but old rivals Fianna Fail are now hot on their heels in a remarkable recovery from 2011, when they were routed in the wake of the economic crash.

Our live blog outlines the winners and the losers of day one at the count centres.

Fianna Fail chief Micheal Martin, whose party suffered its worst-ever defeat in 2011 after taking Ireland to the brink of bankruptcy, said he believed Irish voters want a change in government.

Such a prospect has alarmed both Fine Gail and Fianna Fail, and has been cited as one of the main reasons why the two establishment parties are reluctant to form a coalition of their own, as some members have advocated.

Christie says Trump 'is going to be the Republican nominee'
Trump's unorthodox candidacy has shaken the Republican Party and has drawn increasingly vehement criticism from his rivals. Not only do we have our own numbers, but I know my state", he told Today Show hosts Matt Lauer and Savannah Guthrie .

But the bookies are willing to put their money on it. Up to now, with only 32 out of 158 seats completed, Irish bookmakers Boyle Sports announced pay out of bets for a Fine Gael-Fianna Fail coalition government, saying "at present, we are confident in our decision".

A bare parliamentary majority requires maintaining an alliance of at least 79 lawmakers, though stable Irish governments typically require a larger cushion of support to avoid crises and collapse.

The party took 24.3 percent of first-preference votes and appeared poised to double its parliamentary seats at the expense of Fine Gael and Labour.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin said he was "very pleased" with the way results were shaping up, insisting that the country would have to wait to see what the new government would look like.

In any negotiations parties will be mindful of the date of March 10, when the newly-elected representatives are due to meet in the lower house of parliament Dail Eireann and, in theory, appoint a Taoiseach or prime minister.

Up to now, 32 out of 158 seats were taken, with Fianna Fail securing 12, Fine Gael (United Ireland Party) 7, Sinn Fein ("We Ourselves") 4, independents and small parties 9. But when asked whether that could mean a Fine Gael-Fianna Fail partnership, he demurred.

Russia reports Turkish shelling of Syrian Kurds
The Observatory said the battle of Tal Abyad lasted a full day and left 70 IS fighters, 20 Kurdish fighters and 10 civilians dead. Department of Justice has subpoenaed the company as part of an industrywide investigation into subprime mortgage lending.

The poll by Irish broadcasters RTE was revealed hours ahead of Saturday's start to a ballot count expected to run into Sunday. Tempers frayed as a late-night recount was ordered.

Dismissing the idea of a long-term deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, Ahern quipped that Ireland likely faced a "kaleidoscope coalition" dependent on independent lawmakers and erratic small parties that would be lucky to survive even a year.

With midnight approaching, Michael Healy-Rae finally was declared Kerry's first victor. Both center-ground parties have ruled out cooperation with the party expected to finish third, the Irish nationalist Sinn Fein. "He's flat to the mat with his black cap, and there's no time for tae (tea)".

"I've just fought a hard three-week campaign during which people said to me they want rid of this government, they don't want Enda Kenny as taoiseach anymore", said Fianna Fail lawmaker Willie O'Dea, using the formal Gaelic title for Ireland's premier.

It was once seen as the political wing of the Irish Republican Army but has transformed itself into an anti-austerity force south of their power base in Northern Ireland. The two parties trace their origins to opposite sides of Ireland's 1922-23 civil war.

Michael Lowry is one of the most divisive figures in Irish politics - and the voters of Tipperary in southwest Ireland keep rewarding him for it.

French great Cammas impressed by Ainslie in Oman
There were wins on the day for Glenn Ashby's Emirates Team New Zealand, Oracle Team USA and Groupama Team France. ORACLE skipper Spithill was satisfied with an overall second place after a tough day out.

As things stand, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have picked up 57 seats of the 98 that have already been won.