The people of Ireland are casting their votes in one of the most tightly contested general elections in recent memory. The political landscape is deeply divided, with the longstanding dominance of center-right coalitions being challenged by a resurgent Sinn Féin. With around 3.6 million eligible voters, the outcome of this election could redefine Ireland's political future.

Polling stations opened early in the morning, welcoming voters until 10 p.m. GMT. The election is characterized by neck-and-neck competition among the three main parties: the center-right Fine Gael, the center-right Fianna Fáil, and the leftist-nationalist Sinn Féin. Final opinion polls show these parties each garnering support from around 20% of the electorate, highlighting the fragmented state of Irish politics.

Prime Minister Simon Harris of Fine Gael, who recently succeeded to the position as the youngest Taoiseach, is at the helm during these elections. Despite entering the campaign with a promising lead, Harris faced backlash following a widely shared video criticizing his dismissive attitude toward a care worker. This has raised doubts about his leadership every vote counts for the Fine Gael party, which has been in power since 2011.

The campaign has been dominated by significant public issues, notably the housing crisis and the rising cost of living. Voters have voiced frustration over skyrocketing rents and a lack of affordable housing—issues that have heavily influenced their decisions at the polls. The IT worker, Kevin Barry, exemplified this sentiment by expressing dissatisfaction with the current coalition's failure to address these pressing challenges effectively.

As Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil approach voters with promises of economic stability and continuity, Mary Lou McDonald's Sinn Féin is promoting itself as the party of change. Sinn Féin advocates for progressive social policies and positions itself as the only viable alternative to challenge the two-center-right parties that have alternated in power since Ireland's independence in 1921. McDonald declared election day a historic moment to potentially usher in a new government, implying that a vote for Sinn Féin also supports a united Ireland.

Mary Lou McDonald has emphasized Sinn Féin's commitment to addressing the housing situation with concrete policies and criticized the current government for failing to deliver workable solutions. Although Sinn Féin previously won the popular vote in 2020, forming a coalition proved impossible due to reluctance from Ireland's mainstream parties. The current political environment remains complex, and many see a coalition as inevitable once again.

An added layer of complexity is the international economic concern, particularly with potential policy changes under the incoming U.S. administration led by Donald Trump. Harris warned of possible economic shocks, as Trump's proposed tariffs and corporate tax regulations could negatively impact Ireland's economic relationships, especially with major U.S. companies based in the country.

The electoral map is not just divided geographically but demographically as well, with younger voters like Rachel McNamara leaning toward Sinn Féin, drawn by a desire for youthful change and greater focus on modern social issues. In contrast, others like Gerard, an older voter, stress the need for experienced governance amidst uncertain global developments. He sees the long-standing economic strategies by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as crucial for maintaining Ireland's stability.

In light of the housing crisis and a complex electoral system requiring multiple rounds of vote counting, forming a government is projected to be time-consuming. As voting concludes and counting begins, it is almost certain that Ireland will face days of uncertainty as coalition negotiations unfold. The outcome of this election is expected to influence the country's approach to socio-economic challenges for years to come.