Most recent elections around the West have seen voters punish incumbents for rising inflation and the end of pandemic-era support programs. Ireland’s election last Friday was thus something of a relief for ruling parties Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

The horrifying toll exacted by the Irish election process was shockingly visible over the last stretch in the heavily-lined face of 37 year old Taoiseach Simon Harris, who was swept into office last April on a wave of enthusiasm to replace Leo Varadkar as leader of Fine Gael when he unexpectedly resigned.

Ireland has proved a partial exception to the anti-incumbent mood in elections around the world. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which have dominated Irish politics for a century, remain in the driving seat, though their combined share of the vote has declined to just over 40%.