Prime Minister rules out early general election despite pressure from government parties for October vote – The Irish Times

Prime Minister Simon Harris has ruled out an early general election, saying people did not vote for change in the last local and European elections and instead expected him to “get stuck in and get the job done” as the new prime minister.

“Many pundits and commentators probably expected my party and other government parties to have very bad local and European elections, probably expected Sinn Féin to be on top, and then probably expected me to be asked this weekend, why wouldn’t I have elections and the government certainly lost its mandate,” he said.

“The Irish people voted, but not overwhelmingly, for change. In fact, my party won more first-preference votes than any other party in local elections.”

“The message I received as I traveled around the country… was: ‘you are the new prime minister, roll up your sleeves, pull yourself together and do your job’. That’s what I intend to do, which is why I returned to my desk at dawn on the Monday after the election and my view on the election date has not changed.”

Asked whether delaying the election would give Sinn Féin time to regroup after its disappointing result in both polls on June 7, the Prime Minister instead said he would “give himself some time to continue delivering for people”. It’s about delivering to the Irish. This may be an old-fashioned view of a relatively young politician, but I believe that if you work hard and advocate for the people, they may vote for you. That’s the approach I’m going to approach it.”

Harris’ remarks on Saturday afternoon after his arrival in Switzerland for the Ukraine peace conference contrast with growing calls from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for a general election to be held before Christmas. It is understood that both parties are aiming to hold a general election in October.

Former Fine Gael justice minister Charlie Flanagan predicted there would be an autumn election. The Laois-Offaly MP said “the mood had improved” in Fine Gael and the election result “was a clear endorsement for the centrist parties”.

However, the Prime Minister, Tánaiste Micheál Martin, and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan maintained that the intention was for the government to serve a full term next year.