The leader of Ireland’s main opposition party Sinn Fein expressed her intention to travel across Europe to garner support for a united Ireland ahead of an upcoming parliamentary election. Mary Lou McDonald, who aims to become the country’s first female prime minister, made these remarks during a Sinn Fein delegation’s visit to Lisbon, Portugal. McDonald, who is confident that a referendum will take place in the next decade, highlighted her party’s interest in discussing Irish unity and the future of the European Union with political leaders of other nations.
Sinn Fein’s leadership plans to engage in discussions with Portuguese political leaders, including the foreign minister, regarding the preparations required for Irish unity. The implementation of a 1998 peace deal significantly reduced the violence between Catholic Irish nationalists and Protestant unionists, granting the British government the authority to hold a referendum on Northern Ireland’s departure from the United Kingdom if a majority favors it.
When asked about the potential support from European leaders, McDonald stated that people appeared engaged and interested, but they needed assurance that a referendum would not lead to chaos as witnessed during the Brexit vote and subsequent negotiations. She emphasized Sinn Fein’s commitment to conducting the processes in an orderly and democratic manner to instill confidence among international leaders.
Sinn Fein, formerly associated with the Irish Republican Army (IRA), currently enjoys the highest popularity in Ireland and is favored to win the upcoming elections by early 2025. In the previous year’s elections in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein became the first party in favor of leaving the United Kingdom to emerge as the victor.
Matt Carthy, Sinn Fein’s spokesperson on foreign affairs, accompanied McDonald on her trip to Lisbon and underscored the support Ireland received from European governments during Brexit negotiations. Carthy expressed that this support would play a crucial role in ensuring the success of a united Ireland.
Reporter Catarina Demony contributed to this article, along with additional reporting by Padraic Halpin and Conor Humphries. The article was edited by Diane Craft.
