Ireland (state)/Catalogs/Irish political parties

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The main political parties in Ireland, in alphabetical order, are:

• Fianna Fáil
• Fine Gael
• the Green Party
• the Labour Party
• Progressive Democrats
• Sinn Féin.

Fianna Fáil

Ireland's largest political party was founded in 1926 by Éamon de Valera, in a split from Arthur Griffith's Sinn Féin. In 2007, Fianna Fáil also registered as a political party in Northern Ireland, but following Brian Cowen's appointment as leader has abandoned plans to organise there.

Leader: Brian Cowen

Political ideology: Irish republicanism, centrism.

European Parliament grouping: Union for Europe of the Nations.

Fine Gael

Ireland's second largest political party was founded in 1933, in a merger of Cumann na nGaedhael, the Army Comrades Association and the Centre Party. Although second largest in terms of TDs elected to Dáil Éireann, it became the largest represented party on local city, town and county councils following the local elections of 2009.

Leader: Enda Kenny

Political ideology: Christian democracy, centrism.

European Parliament grouping: European People's Party.

Green Party

Founded in 1981 (as the Ecology Party of Ireland).

Leader: John Gormley

Politcal ideology: Green politics

European Parliament grouping: European Greens – European Free Alliance

Labour Party

The Labour Party was founded in 1912 by James Connolly. It is Ireland's third-largest party.

Leader: Eamon Gilmore

Political ideology: Democratic socialism

European Parliament grouping: Socialist Group in the European Parliament

Progressive Democrats

Founded in 1985 by Des O'Malley, in a split from Fianna Fáil that also brought in some Fine Gael members.

Leader: Ciarán Cannon

Political ideology: Free-market liberalism

European Parliament grouping: n/a

The Progressive Democrat's parliamentary party announced in September 2008 that it would be recommending that the party be wound up at a special general meeting of members. The general meeting was held on November 8, 2008, and voted to wind up. Mary Harney remains as an independent TD and Minister for Health.

Sinn Féin

Several political parties in Ireland have been named Sinn Féin, which is Irish for "We ourselves." The Sinn Féin party currently represented in Dáil Éireann, the Northern Assembly and the European Parliament was formed from a split in 1970, and was originally called "Provisional Sinn Féin". Sinn Féin is organised both in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Leader: Gerry Adams

Political ideology: Irish republicanism, Democratic socialism.

European Parliament grouping: European United Left - Nordic Green Left