Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said her party aims to take power in Ireland, north and south of the border, in 2024.
Voters are due to go to the polls in June for European and local government elections, although there is speculation that the next general election here could be held at the end of the year.
At the last general election in January 2020, Sinn Féin finished with 37 seats, but in June 2020, Fianna Féin (38 seats) and Fine Gael (35 seats) joined the Green Party. A coalition government was established.
In his New Year’s message, Mr MacDonald said he hoped there would be enough Sinn Féin members to form a government without Fine Gael and Fianna Fail to “bring real change” after the next general election. He said he would focus on selecting a TD.
“The election is coming and I hope the people will give us the opportunity to lead,” she said.
“The Sinn Féin government will make housing a top priority for the new government, not just in words but in deeds and results.” By.
“That is the level of action that is needed to meet the scale of the challenges that people face.”
She also called for “step change in the north” and urged the DUP to return to the devolved government at Stormont.
Sinn Féin vice-president Michelle O’Neill has been the leader of Stormont’s largest party since the May 2022 parliamentary election, giving her the right to become the next first minister when institutions are recalled.
“It’s decision time for the DUP. It’s time to move forward and form an executive. It’s time for positive leadership. It’s time to deliver,” Mr McDonald said.
Mr Macdonald said the party’s top priority was housing, adding that he wanted 2024 to be the year to “turn the tide on the housing crisis”, adding: “I believe that will only happen with a Sinn Féin government.” Ta.
“2024 must be the year that young people in our country have hope for the future, the hope of having access to affordable housing, the hope of building a life in Ireland and the real hope of returning home if they wish. I have hope that I will get the opportunity.”
“2024 needs to be the year the Irish Government starts planning for a united Ireland. First, we need to start establishing a National Assembly so that dialogue can develop and preparations can begin.”
vote
At the end of November, a Business Post RedC opinion poll showed Sinn Féin’s support had fallen, dropping by three points from the previous month.
The party remains the most popular among likely voters at 29%.
In early December, another poll, this time by the Sunday Independent, showed the party still the most popular party, down three points to 31%.
In an interview with journal Asked earlier this month about reports that this may be the trend in the party’s polling ratings, and whether he had ever asked himself why his ratings had fallen, Mr MacDonald said: .
“So we evaluate everything. Of course, we always have to evaluate our performance.”
In her view, the polls are up, but “little by little, little by little, they’re going down,” she said.
“But the more general situation is actually relative stability for all parties and players throughout the year,” she said.
“Obviously we want more people to support us as we get closer to the election…so what we’re trying to do is just work hard. That’s what we’re trying to do. What we’re trying to do is listen to what people have to say and respond as best we can.
“Our job is to convince people that change is not only desirable, but necessary, that we can do a good job as stakeholders, and that we can make that change happen in a way that benefits people in a way that puts a roof over their heads.” ” mainly over people’s heads. ”
Tánaiste Micheál Martin recently warned that if a Sinn Féin government came to power, it would be “dragged” by the far left into making irresponsible decisions.
In a roundtable interview with reporters in Dublin, the prime minister said there were “very serious problems” with Sinn Féin policy, particularly in its initial response to this year’s conflict in Gaza. “It is based on a populist perspective,” he added. ”.
Nevertheless, the Tánaiste stopped short of ruling out the possibility of a coalition, saying: “That is a position that the party will decide on in due course.”
With report from Jane Moore