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Sinn Fein to exclude major parties from new Ireland coalition, McDonald says

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By Russell Hope, news reporter Sinn Fein wants to exclude Ireland's major political parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, from a new coalition government, its president Mary Lou McDonald has said.The final result is expected later, but counting suggests the party, formerly the political wing of the IRA, could poll more votes than either of its rivals, who have dominated Irish politics for 90 years.That would mean it is outperforming even Saturday night's extraordinary exit poll that put all three parties on 22%, sending shockwaves through Irish politics.Image:Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald at the Dublin City countImage:Leo Varadkar was tipped to suffer major losses in the electionSinn Fein has already opened talks with smaller, like-minded, parties such as the Greens and People Before Profit as well as independents.Speaking at her Dublin Central constituency count, where she was elected with 11, 223 votes, Ms McDonald told Sky News she wants to form a government "ideally with no Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in it."As for her party's opponents putting aside their long-held differences and taking power together, she described the idea as "fundamentally undemocratic" after Sinn Fein won the support of "around a quarter of the electorate"."The political establishment, including Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, are in a state of denial, they're still not listening to what the people want."More from Republic Of IrelandThis election is "a big statement for change" and Sinn Fein is "changing the shape and mould of Irish politics," she added.Sinn Fein's platform is "about solving the housing crisis, it is about getting to grips with the crisis in our health services, it is about giving families and workers a break and breathing space so that ordinary people begin to experience this economic recovery that they have heard so much about."Image:Michael Martin, leader of Fianna FailThe party fielded 42 candidates across the 39 constituencies, meaning it could never reach the 80 seats needed for a majority in the Dail parliament, but it can claim it has arrived as a political force in the south of the country.Taking power with either Fine Gael and Fianna Fail appears unlikely as both have vowed never to go into government with Sinn Fein, while Fianna Fail has ruled out a "grand coalition" with Fine Gael.Plus, all three party leaders, Ms McDonald, prime minister Leo Varadkar of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail's Micheal Martin are known to not be on friendly terms.Both Mr Varadkar and Mr Martin were outpolled by Sinn Fein candidates in their constituencies.But Mr Varadkar remained trenchant about the prospects for a coalition, saying an alliance with Sinn Fein was "not an option" as "nobody can be forced into a forced marriage or a forced coalition"."It seems that we have now a three-party system and that's going to make forming a government quite difficult."Asked if he would be picking up the phone to Ms McDonald, he replied: "No."The exit poll was taken at 250 locations with 5,376 respondents who had just voted and has a margin of error of 1.3%.No party is expected to reach the 80-seat threshold to enable it to govern on its own, and a coalition administration of some sort is almost inevitable, or failing that, another election soon.




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