Can left-wing parties use Connolly election as inspiration for viable coalition?
James Cox
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael setting aside their 'Civil War' differences to form a government was a seismic moment in Irish politics and a left-wing coalition getting them out of power would be an even bigger moment.
Sinn Féin had once toyed with the idea of coalescing with Fianna Fáil, but this idea seems unlikely.
Political pundits have been sceptical, for valid reasons, about how difficult a left-wing coalition led by Sinn Féin would be with the varied and differing policies of left-leaning parties and politicians in Ireland.
However, this may now be a more viable possibility as left-wing parties came together to canvass for President Catherine Connolly.
The leaders of Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity and the Green Party were all regularly pictured together.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has spoken about how the Opposition parties came together in a positive fashion.
However, huge issues and differences in ideology remain making the prospect of Ms McDonald leading a broad coalition difficult.
The Labour Party would likely be a necessary cog in such a coalition.
While Labour leader Ivana Bacik was happy to pose with Ms McDonald and Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns during the Connolly campaign, she highlighted the issues of doing the same for a general election campaign soon after.
Speaking at a press conference she said her party still has "significant differences" with Sinn Féin.
Compromise would be the main glue to bring together a left wing coalition, and this would make the involvement of People Before Profit difficult as well.
The likes of Paul Murphy and Richard Boyd Barrett sometimes propose policies that would pit them against the likes of Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats.
Most recently, they criticised Sinn Féin for not backing a Bill brought forward by People Before Profit TD Ruth Coppinger calling for fox hunting to be banned.
How to campaign as individual parties, while presenting a united message to the electorate, would be a huge challenge.
Ms McDonald may have to take the lead with this, with some critics suggesting she should have done so before the last general election.
The next general election is likely to take place in 2029, so left wing parties have plenty of time, but a lot of work to do before then if a viable alternative government (not including Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael) is to be presented to the public.
