So Ireland goes to the polls today. Interesting to note is that, of the 566 candidates, 233 are classed as independent. Now for those of you who don't know, Irish politics was traditionally dominated by two parties, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. There was a Labour party which was kind of the junior partner, but recently the Green party (which is actually in coalition at the moment) has emerged. Funnily enough Sinn Fein, held nearly as many seats as the Greens in the outgoing parliament.
So given the makeup of the parties, the number of independents and the fact that Ireland uses the system of proportional representation what are the bets on a hung Dail, with neither of the two main parties getting an overall majority.
Horse trading will be rife come Saturday afternoon as the results trickle through, to see who"s ready to get into bed with who.
Also at the moment because of the money problems there has been a return of large-scale emigration - currently estimated at 1,000 people per week. How long before Ireland becomes empty? (approx 76 years at that rate)