Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Green Party agree on historical coalition government

The Green Party has joined Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in backing the programme for the government, marking a historic coalition between the three parties.

Results came in early from Fine Gael, in which a resounding 80% members voted in favour of the programme. Fianna Fáil's results came in next, with 74% in agreement. After a delayed verification process, the Green Party officially voted 76% in favour of the deal, surpassing the necessary two-thirds majority for the agreement to pass. The Green Party's results were higher than expected, as early analyses predicted a narrow pass not higher than 70%.

Green Party expected to pass PFG over the 66% threshold but not as high as 70% @rtenews

— Sandra Hurley (@sandra_hurley) June 26, 2020

The new programme will include rotating leadership, with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin serving as Taoiseach for two and a half years and Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar taking over the position for the rest of the term.

Martin called the new coalition "a moment of opportunity and a moment of hope" after Fianna Fáil officially backed the programme and was delighted at the overwhelming endorsement.

Catherine Martin, deputy leader of the Green Party, addressed the skepticism about serving in a government with the two parties, stating that the Green Party is "stepping up" to serve its country and putting people before politics. She intends to "hit the ground running" and ensure that the party's independence and core values will not be undermined in the new government.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan also spoke on the new government, emphasizing the importance of working together to bring Ireland out of the current severe economic crisis.

Michéal Martin will be elected as Taoiseach in a special meeting of the Dáil tomorrow and the new Cabinet will be announced during the special Dáil sitting at the Convention Centre.