Sinn Féin remain top of the odds for most seats in next general election

Ottoline Spearman

Following a surge in support for Sinn Féin, bookmakers Ladbrokes have made them the likeliest to land the most seats at the next general election.

The support of Sinn Féin most certainly helped the success of Catherine Connolly during the presidential election, according to Ladbrokes. This support has helped the largest opposition party to top the odds at 11/10.

Fianna Fáil had what some TDs described as a "disastrous" presidential election, with Jim Gavin withdrawing from the race three weeks before the vote, after he was beset by a number of controversies.

Many within the party have questioned Micheál Martin's leadership, with some denoting the Taoiseach to be "past the natural sell-by date" of party leaders.

Fianna Fáil have slipped to 7/4 behind Sinn Féin to win most seats in the next election.

Fine Gael, on the other hand, ran a tame presidential campaign according to the bookmakers, which shied in comparison to the eventual winner, leaving them slightly off the pace at 11/4.

Cal Gildart of Ladbrokes said: “There seems to be a shift in the popularity of the government parties. Sinn Féin are in a commanding position despite being so far out from another election.

"If they can maintain the momentum they have since the presidential election, we could see huge changes at the top of Irish politics.”