###POV. Fresh elections in Ireland are......>

IRELAND: ###POV. Fresh elections in Ireland are not to be feared

Next Tuesday there is a motion of no confidence in the tanaiste (Deputy PM),

Francis Fitzgerald. Currently, Fine Gael is the largest party and is in a

coalition with Fianna Fail, a party that is normally a rival. Thus, this

morning's comments that Fianna Fail do not see a need for a General Election

holds important weight. Why is there a no-confidence vote on the table? It's

looking as if there is a desire to get rid of Fitzgerald more than bring down

the government. 

- However, for a no confidence vote to be avoided, Fitzgerald will need to fall

on her sword and resign before Tuesday otherwise elections may follow in

December. 

- At present, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fail Leader Micheal Martin are

at loggerheads and not backing down.

- Ryan McGrath at Cantors in Dublin writes that an election is non-threatening

"The markets' familiarity with both the major parties should contain any

domestic political risk." But Brexit talks timing is unfortunate.