John Walsh: Coalition’s succession of crises is not an inevitable product of politics

Complacency and unedifying behaviour often follow extended terms in office, but we can look to Angela Merkel’s track record to see that it doesn’t have to be so

Angela Merkel is about to stand down as German chancellor after 16 years which have been notable for the absence of scandals, but Tánaiste Leo Varadkar has been limping from crisis to crisis. Picture: Artur Widak/NurPhoto

There has been a trend stretching back a good number of years that the government’s popularity has either risen or held steady over the summer break, mostly because Leinster House shuts down and ministers can keep out of the headlines for a few weeks.

That run was broken last summer following an Oireachtas golf society outing in Clifden. The evening dinner was an apparent breach of Covid regulations and forced the resignations of a minister ...