Another step towards the formation of a.....>

IRELAND: Another step towards the formation of a majority government as Fine

Gael, Fianna Fail, and the Green Party finalise a deal on forming a coalition.

- The deal involves rotating premierships, with Fianna Fail leader Micheal

Martin taking over as Taoiseach from incumbent Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar

until end-2022 if the deal is approved.

- The memberships of all 3 parties will need to approve deal for it to come into

force, Green members by a 2/3 majority. Process expected to take around 2 weeks.

- If rejected by any party membership the deal will need to be re-worked, if not

the prospect of snap elections loom.

- Fianna Fail, the joint-largest party, wants to avoid a snap election, with its

polling support crumbling during negotiations and the COVID-19 crisis. 

- Varadkar's Fine Gael have experienced a burst in support during the crisis,

from 20.9% in the Feb election to around 25% support in May opinion polls. 

- Left-wing nationalist Sinn Fein retain strong support nationally, but given

their historic links to the IRA have failed to find sufficient coalition

partners to form a gov't.