Ireland’s Referendum: Vote No No

On March 8th, international women’s day, Ireland will go to the polls in what is yet another controversial referendum put forth by a socially distant government.

Sources within Dáil Éireann have noted the internal divide within Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil regarding the decision to put forth this referendum, and most especially the government’s apparent anxiety that the referendum will fail to net the results they had hoped for.

With increased polling in favour of a No/No result, and both dissatisfaction within government ranks, with both rank and file and senior party members alike allegedly considering this constitutional fiasco a major political blunder that could come to damage Fine Gael in particular. The party whip is the only mechanism holding the government together.

Maria Steen’s RTÉ debate with Tánaiste Martin only served as a last-ditch attempt to save face before the referendum, as a seemingly despondent Martin lacked the energy to mount a serious argument in support of the constitutional amendment.

With the unexpected criticism of left-wing groups, women’s organisations, and other civil society NGOs centred around the rights of families and disabled people opposing the constitutional changes, the government has failed to rally support from those who they counted on to pass the referendum.

‘In the absence of clear guidance within the constitutional text or by way of legislation, it is difficult to predict with certainty how the Irish courts would interpret the concept of “other durable relationships.”’

– Attorney general to government https://t.co/B1CyNdIa25

— The Ditch (@wereontheditch) March 7, 2024

With further opposition from an increasingly articulate right-wing perspective, Fine Gael’s political anxiety is raised to new heights, as their campaign to set to the Greens as their scapegoat for the coaltions failures buckles under the general perception that Fine Gael is the party of liberalism and immigration, much to the chagrin of the party’s back-bench. With a right-wing pivot now permanently off the cards, the referendum has become a much more divisive issue within the party than they had ever expected.

Should Ireland, as the government fears, vote No/No, the coalition’s “march of progress” will come to a screeching halt, and even should one amendment pass, the political demoralisation of the government will be set in stone.

IRELAND

Ireland could become the first EU state to recognise polygamy if the government wins its referendums on Friday

It comes as Yes Yes leader Micheal Martin REFUSED to rule out the controversial practise during a car crash appearance on a TV debate #votenono pic.twitter.com/X7Mk9dM7Ou

— Catholic Arena (@CatholicArena) March 5, 2024

The referendum, perhaps a last-ditch electoral issue to bolster FG and FF vote shares before the local elections, and later General Election, has become a blunder that forecasts the parties’ doom. Knowing that many citizens are voting No/No as a simple protest vote against the government, they have inadvertently consolidated a right-of-centre voting bloc which may be counted upon for right-wing populist electoralism in future years.

Hundreds out to call for a #VoteNoNo turnout next Friday In opposition to the government trying to take away our rights! pic.twitter.com/b71TIqtNiK

— Vote No March 8th (@VoteNoVoteNo) March 3, 2024