Irish Republican News · February 6, 2004

Sinn Féin support rises again

Sinn Féin's support in the 26 Counties has reached another high, according to the latest measure of public opinion.

Meanwhile, the Irish Prime Minister and his Fianna Fail party are showing a modest recovery in support, ending an 18-month period of decline.

Sinn Féin continues a steady climb in support and now stands at 12 per cent of the national vote, its highest ever in the MRBI poll. This compares with 6.5 per cent it received in the 2002 general election.

Its support in Dublin is now equal to that of Fine Gael and Labour and it is poised to make significant gains in the local elections in June, and is in a close fight to win a seat in Dublin for the European elections.

In the past 18 months, its support has doubled in all areas except for the Connaught/Ulster region.

The state of the parties is: Fianna Fail 33 per cent, up 3 points since September; Fine Gael 21 per cent, down 1; Labour 17 per cent, down 2; Sinn Féin 12 per cent, up 2; Green Party 5 per cent, up 1; Progressive Democrats 3 per cent, down 2; Others 9 per cent, down 1.

Core support for the parties is: Fianna Fail 29 per cent, up 2; Fine Gael 15 per cent, down 1; Labour 11 per cent, down 1; Sinn Féin 9 per cent, up 2; Green Party 3 per cent, unchanged; Progressive Democrats 2 per cent, down 1; Others 8 per cent, unchanged. Some 22 per cent were undecided, down 2.

The result of the May 2002 general election was: Fianna Fail, 41.5 per cent; Fine Gael, 22 per cent; Labour, 11 per cent; Sinn Féin, 6.5 per cent; Progressive Democrats, 4 per cent; Green Party, 4 per cent; Others, 11 per cent.

There have been increases in voter approval of all party leaderm, but Gerrry Adams remains the most popular party leader, thanks to an 8 percent rise in suport.

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