They are anti-abortion. Except, they support abortion. They are also pro-privatisation of the health care. Except, they are anti-privatisation of health care.

(Sorry for hijacking the Irish thread)

I recall that Danish radio used to follow the dealings of Charles Haughey with quite a bit of fascination. Scandinavians aren’t really used to that kind of politicians.

As for names: well Sinn Feinn translated as ‘ourselves alone’ aptly sums up the loony autarkic policies of de Valera-nomics that seem to have followed on in SFs present incarnation. Proposals this time around in their manifesto included renationalising Aer Lingus, an idea so ludicrously stupid I’m surprised it didn’t get more ridicule from Michael during the debats.

But for misnomers, its still got to be Vladimir Zhirinovskii’s ‘Liberal Democratic Party of Russia’ or indeed even the ‘National Bolsheviks.’ Reminds me of that Simpsons episode where McBain is ‘under attack by Commie-Nazis.’ The Nats-Bol even have the same symbol as the planes!

Oh, and the neofascists are called the “Sweden Democrats”

It appears to be so: if a country’s citizens were classed as ‘British subjects’ in 1918, they can vote in general and local elections, while EU citizens can vote in European parliament elections. Small compensation for empire, but there you go.

(And I stand corrected on two counts: British citizens resident in Ireland can vote in Dáil elections, though not referenda; and Fine Gael has indeed been crook-free at the top.)

That’s a distinction should be ripe for a constitutional challenge. What exactly is different about working for the state abroad versus working for a private firm? The initial employment decision is equally voluntary in both cases.

But anyway, the election itself. The best rationalization one can make is that the electorate didn’t want to upset the applecart but did want a more effective opposition, hence the surge to FG. Once again, though, the incompetence, bloat, and scandal of FF governments appears not to bother a critical mass of the electorate. Maybe they’ll get the number of ministers up to 40 in the new government? (currently 31).

I assume you meant the UK allows Irish citizens resident in the UK to vote but that there is no reciprocal arrangement – I don’t know about other countries, but is it the case that the UK is unusually generous and most countries confine the voite to citizens as opposed to residents?

Well, the opacity’s not just in the name. They’re historically the pro- and anti-Treaty parties, but they’re both basically centrist, leaving voters a choice of their preferred crook leader.

I understand the reason for limiting expat votes, given the fairly generous provision of passports to the grandkids of the diaspora, and of course to anyone north of the border who desires one. Stark contrast to the UK, which has long allowed Irish residents to vote.

By the way: Is there anything progressive about the (Irish) Progressive Democrats?

And Maria is ordinarily resident…?

Very depressing outcome to the election but at least the PDs are doing very badly and Sinn Fein are certainly not doing as well as expected.

@ ben: Ourselves is also a rather stange name for a party even if it’s not quite as outrageous as the names of the two main parties. (Just to throw in a Danish angle: In Denmark the Left is a right-wing party, and the Radicals centrist pragmatists – but we really can’t beat the Irish here)