Irland

[Schneemann]

Sinn Fein wins Donegal South-West by-election

Sinn Fein candidate Pearse Doherty has been elected to the Irish parliament for the Donegal SW constituency.

The election was the first major poll in the country since the government sought a bail-out due to its fiscal deficit and concerns about its banks. Mr Doherty won 13,719 first preference votes, 6,000 more than the candidate for the largest party in the Irish parliament, Fianna Fail.

Its coalition with the Greens has now only a parliamentary majority of two. Mr Doherty, who had been heavily tipped to win the seat, said the result had sent a message to Fianna Fail that its policies had been firmly rejected. He added: "Obviously we are absolutely blown over by the number of people who have come out and voted for Sinn Fein and our vision for this county and this country."

Link: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11843901">http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-11843901</a><!-- m -->

Schneemann.