Ireland (state)/Catalogs/Irish political parties

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The main political parties in Ireland, in alphabetical order, are:

Fianna Fáil

Ireland's largest political party was founded in 1926 by Éamon de Valera, in a split from Sinn Féin. In 2007, Fianna Fáil also registered as a political party in Northern Ireland, but following Brian Cowen's appointment as leader has abandoned plans to organise there.

Leader: Brian Cowen

Political ideology: Irish republicanism, centrism.

European Parliament grouping: Union for Europe of the Nations.

Fine Gael

Ireland's second largest political party was founded in 1933, in a merger of Cumann na nGaedhael, the Army Comrades Association and the Centre Party.

Leader: Enda Kenny

Political ideology: Christian democracy, centrism.

European Parliament grouping: European People's Party.

Green Party

Founded in 1981 (as the Ecology Party of Ireland).

Leader: John Gormley

Politcal ideology: Green politics

European Parliament grouping: European Greens – European Free Alliance

Labour Party

The Labour Party was founded in 1912 by James Connolly. It is Ireland's third-largest party.

Leader: Eamon Gilmore

Political ideology: Democratic socialism

European Parliament grouping: Socialist Group in the European Parliament

Progressive Democrats

Founded in 1985 by Des O'Malley, in a split from Fianna Fáil that also brought in some Fine Gael members.

Leader: Ciarán Cannon

Political ideology: Free-market liberalism

European Parliament grouping: n/a

The Progressive Democrat's parliamentary party announced in September 2008 that it would be recommending that party be wound up at a special general meeting of members to be held in October 2008.[1]

Sinn Féin

Founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, Sinn Féin is organised both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Leader: Gerry Adams

Political ideology: Irish republicanism, Democratic socialism.

European Parliament grouping: European United Left - Nordic Green Left

References