Special report: Sinn Féin was the big winner in election 2020 and surge can continue

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald celebrates with her supporters after being elected at the RDS Count centre on February 9, 2020. Picture: Charles McQuillan/Getty Images

The general election took place one year ago today, delivering seismic change that transformed Ireland from a two-party system to a three-party one.

ELECTION 2020, which took place one year ago today, delivered a seismic realignment in the Irish political landscape many had sought for decades.

Whereas the election of 2016 saw the demise of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to the point where their combined share of the
vote fell below 50% for the first time, last year’s poll left us not with a two-party system but a three-party system.