Poll reveals most voters want an alternative coalition

AN opinion poll published today shows the majority of Irish voters would prefer a different combination of parties in power after the next general election.

The poll shows that 55% of voters surveyed want an alternative Government and 32% opted for the current Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats coalition.

But the Irish Times poll also shows there is not a clear alternative Government emerging, with more voters supporting a coalition led by Fianna Fáil than one involving Fine Gael.

Support for Fianna Fáil suffered a blow in the first part of the Irish Times poll published at the weekend showing its support down by a massive six points, lagging behind Fine Gael and Labour who were both up.

But the second part of the poll published today has delivered a more mixed message. Asked if they wanted the existing Fianna Fáil/PD coalition, or a new combination of parties in Government after the next election, 32% opted for the current Government, while 55% want an alternative.

But when asked what parties they wanted in Government, the voters surveyed gave no clear alternative. The poll found that:

* 30% wanted Fianna Fáil and the PDs.

* 16% backed Fine Gael and Labour.

* 9% wanted a combination of Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens.

* 8% backed Fianna Fáil and Labour.

* 7% wanted Fianna Fáil/Sinn Féin.

The next general election is not due to be held until June 2007 but, with tensions high in the Fianna Fáil/Progressive Democrats government over a range of issues including cafe bars, an election could well be called before then.

The poll is bad news for Fine Gael and Labour who had hoped the formal ratification of their pre-election pact at the Labour Party’s annual conference recently would have increased the support for their alternative Government.

The Green Party’s decision not sign a pre-election pact with Fine Gael and Labour could explain the voters reluctance to give an alternative Rainbow coalition more support.

The tns/MRBI poll for the Irish Times, however, does not give Fianna Fáil hope of getting back into power with Labour next time round.

Support for this coalition was just 8%.