Fine Gael TDs put pressure on Simon Harris to call general election before Christmas 

One FG source said it would be 'bonkers' not to go to the country early on the back of a budget 'pitched at middle-income earners'

Taoiseach Simon Harris is coming under pressure from Fine Gael TDs and senators to call a general election shortly after Budget 2025. Picture: Maxwells

Taoiseach Simon Harris will head into his first Fine Gael think-in with many TDs and senators eager to see him set a date for the next general election in the coming weeks.

Fine Gael has almost finished selecting its candidates and many are keen to see the election held in the weeks after the October 1 budget. However, Mr Harris has steadfastly refused to countenance going to the polls early.

With the party set for its last get-together before the election this week, to be held in Offaly, some are keen to leave with a date confirmed, with early November favoured. There is a sense among some that Fine Gael's strong polling cannot be guaranteed later into the winter, so the Taoiseach would be wise to call an election shortly after a budget which is expected to bring with it a number of measures around the cost of living and taxation.

Pressure to go before Christmas

One Fine Gael source said it would be "bonkers" not to go to the public before Christmas on the back of a budget that will be "pitched at middle-income earners". 

Another said the party has "got it wrong" in the past in calling elections in February or March and Mr Harris should not allow a post-Christmas malaise set in among the public. 

However, Mr Harris has long maintained that he would not call an early election and many who have spoken to him say that his thinking remains unchanged.

Last week, the Taoiseach told an Ibec dinner that the coalition would run until March.

He told the room of business leaders that most people "haven't given much thought" to the next general election.

"In reality I know most people haven’t given much thought to who they’re voting for in the next general election. I’ve met thousands of people over the last few months and the date of the general election is the last thing on their mind," he said.

Fine Gael has been making selections for candidates to contest the next election ahead of an internal deadline later this month. 

The party last week chose eight candidates to run in the general election bringing the total number of selections so far to 42. Candidates have said that they are aware of the need to "be ready" to contest an election within weeks.