Sinn Féin (SF), an Irish nationalist party, champions the Irish republican tradition under a democratic socialist framework. Historically linked to the Irish Republican Army (IRA) as its political wing, the party has consistently denied ongoing connections despite widespread beliefs to the contrary.
Previously struggling electorally, Sinn Féin has emerged at the forefront of Irish politics with its left-wing values focused on improving the lives of the working class. SF is often grouped into the recent phenomena of successful populist European far-right parties such as The National Rally in France and the Brothers of Italy in Italy. While SF uses populist rhetoric to garner support, defining them along such lines misses some key lessons political professionals can learn from their transformation.
This shift illustrates the strategic realignment necessary to capture the evolving sentiments of the electorate, demonstrating how the effective communication of targeted policy and rhetoric changes can alter a party’s electoral trajectory for the better. For political strategists and analysts, understanding Sinn Féin’s approach offers valuable lessons in adapting to changing political, cultural and economic landscapes and engaging with younger demographics through modern platforms. This analysis delves into the mechanisms behind Sinn Féin’s rise, exploring how these strategies can be applied in other contexts to achieve similar success.
Recent electoral success and challenges
Until recently, the party has failed to achieve a breakthrough in elections with its hard-left, pro-reunification message, other than in Northern Ireland, where it has consistently been one of the larger parties without ever heading a Government until recently.
This changed in the Republic of Ireland in the February 2020 general election, which saw SF top the popular vote with 24.5 percent, just shy of the total required to win an overall majority of seats.
Without the necessary majority to govern, SF were overshadowed by a grand coalition of popular centre-right parties -Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, supported by the Greens.
In Northern Ireland, SF’s dominance has grown, culminating in Michelle O’Neill’s appointment as First Minister post-2022 Northern Ireland Assembly Election. The party’s rising influence is evident as it leads polls for the 2025 Irish general election.
Shifts in policy and public perception
Shifting towards the centre, SF now balances its reunification goal with broader policies to galvanise support from a wider electorate.
Their focus on resolving the housing crisis, advocating for rent freezes and housing as a constitutional right, has resonated particularly with younger voters and the working class. The housing crisis has been a continual issue in Ireland with residential property prices increasing by 75 percent and rents increasing by 90 percent between 2012 and 2022 while wages only increased by 27 percent. Home ownership has fallen dramatically among young people and the working class, and SF has capitalised on this by focusing more on the issue in recent years.
SF has also called for stricter regulations on corporation tax. This has been a policy area that has worried some in Ireland who fear the tightening of corporation tax regulations may deter wealthy multinationals, taking away valuable assets to the Irish economy, which has attracted many US tech corporations with its low-tax, light-touch regulatory regime.
However, Mary Lou McDonald, President of SF, has visited California to meet with business leaders in the past, likely discussing potential routes forward for these multinationals in an Ireland governed by her party. So, SF may be driving a hard, left-wing line on the accumulation of wealth and corporate tax, but they are seemingly trying to do so in a way that fits within a capitalist Irish society.
Savvy social-media usage
SF have also looked to use social media to their advantage, reaping the benefits of numerous viral posts on Instagram and TikTok. This should come as no surprise though as SF have amassed more social media followers than all the other Irish parties combined.
Although SF have clearly targeted younger voters with their modernised, social media-friendly approach and promises of more affordable housing, in the 2020, they were not just popular among young people, but were the most popular party in every age group below 65.
Lessons for Irish politics and beyond
SF’s modernisation of its traditional policies and political focuses looks set to gain greater influence in the Republic of Ireland and possibly greater representation in the European Parliament. The party’s rise is likely to have profound implications on the future of Irish politics with the possibility of referendums and societal divisions over reunification on the horizon.
