Politicians who make promises they can’t keep will pay a high price
It’s not just that parties will end up having to negotiate with other parties or political groups, the rise in populism worldwide shows the real dangers inherent in auction politics
It was inevitable that this general election campaign would turn into a promise-contest. The parties’ campaigns were never going to ignore the spending made possible by the Department of Finance’s estimate that the next government will have an additional €11 billion to spend over the next five years.
That said, the re-emergence of auction politics in the opening phase of the campaign, particularly on the pension age issue, shows how chronic uncertainty...
Subscribe from just €1 for the first month!
Exclusive offers:
All Digital Access + eReader
Trial
€1
Unlimited Access for 1 Month
*New subscribers only
Annual
€200
€149 For the 1st Year
Unlimited Access for 1 Year
Quarterly
€55
€42
90 Day Pass
2 Yearly
€315
€248
Unlimited Access for 2 Years
Team Pass
Get a Business Account for you and your team
Related Stories
Martin agrees to review of ‘disastrous’ election showing
In response to TDs’ complaints, a process of ‘peeling back the onion’ will examine how Fianna Fáil lost eight of its 45 seats
Fine Gael ministers face axe as grand coalition talks resume
Leo Varadkar will have to jettison several ministers if the party agrees to a coalition with Fianna Fáil
Greens compile wishlist of key demands for being in government
Fianna Fáil fears that some Green TDs do not want to be in office during what is increasingly likely to be a time of tough economic conditions
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to begin ‘detailed’ talks
Matching statements about ‘enormous challenges’ including Covid-19 indicate that the parties’ ‘go-slow’ is over