Ireland

House of RepresentativesSenate

House of Representatives

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
08.02.2020
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
14.01.2020
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Early election
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
28.02.2025
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
160
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
531
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
369
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
162
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
30.51%
Number of parties contesting the election This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
16

Voter turnout

Registration Number of people registered to vote
3,509,969
Votes Number of people who actually voted
2,201,192
Voter turnout The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of people who actually voted by the number of people registered to vote
62.71%

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
The 2020 elections returned a fragmented House of Representatives where the three largest parties won a similar number of seats (between 35 and 38) in the 160 member House of Representatives (see note). Fianna Fáil led by Mr. Micheál Martin came first with 38 seats (down from 44). Sinn Féin led by Ms. Mary Lou McDonald followed with 37 seats (up from 23), winning two more seats than Prime Minister Leo Varadkar’s Fine Gael (35 seats, down from 50). The Green Party, led by Mr. Eamon Ryan, increased its share of seats from 2 to 12, thereby becoming the fourth largest party in the new legislature.

The four largest parties nominated their respective leaders as their premiership candidates but none of them secured the required 80 votes on 20 February when the new legislature held its first session. Prime Minister Varadkar submitted his resignation to President Michael D Higgins. After nearly four months of negotiations, on 15 June, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Green Party agreed to form a coalition government to be led by Mr. Martin (Fianna Fáil). It is the first government comprising both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Upon election by the House of Representatives on 27 June, the new Prime Minister promised to work on the social, economic, and cultural recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2020 elections were held one year earlier than they were constitutionally due. On 14 January, Prime Minister Varadkar announced the snap elections, stating “the election should happen at the best time for the country”, citing the government’s record on a deal on Brexit and strong economy. President Higgins dissolved the House of Representatives later on the same day, triggering early elections. The major electoral issues included tax cuts, housing and climate change. For the first time, the percentage of women surpassed 30 per cent.

Note:
The statutory number increased from 158 to 160 due to the increase in population.
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
9
Percentage of parties winning seats The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
56.25%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
23.75%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Yes
Number of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
3
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Green Party
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
Fianna Fáil 38
Sinn Féin 37
Fine Gael 35
Green Party 12
Labour Party 6
Social Democratic Party 6
Solidarity - People Before Profit (SOL-PBP) 5
Aontú 1
Independents 4 Change (I.4.C) 1
Independents 19
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
124
Number of women elected
36
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
22.5%
Women Directly Elected
36

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
124
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
36
First-term parliamentarians The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
48
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
20.02.2020
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Male)
Political party
Fianna Fáil
Date of election
20.02.2020