Irish general election, 2007

Irish general election, 2007

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165 of 166 seats in Dáil Éireann 84 seats were needed for a majority
Turnout	67.0%
First party Second party Third party   Leader Bertie Ahern Enda Kenny Pat Rabbitte Party Fianna Fáil Fine Gael Labour Party Leader since 19 December 1994 2 June 2002 25 October 2002 Leader's seat Dublin Central Mayo Dublin South-West Last election 81 seats, 41.5% 31 seats, 22.5% 20 seats, 10.8% Seats before 78 32 21 Seats won 77 51 20 Seat change 1 19 1 Popular vote 858,565 564,428 209,175 Percentage 41.6% 27.3% 10.1% Swing 0.1% 4.8% 0.7%   Fourth party Fifth party Sixth party   Leader Trevor Sargent Gerry Adams Michael McDowell Party Green Party Sinn Féin Progressive Democrats Leader since 6 October 2001 13 November 1983 11 September 2006 Leader's seat Dublin North N/A Dublin South-East (defeated) Last election 6 seats, 3.8% 5 seats, 6.5% 8 seats, 4.0% Seats before 6 5 8 Seats won 6 4 2 Seat change 0 1 6 Popular vote 96,936 143,410 56,396 Percentage 4.7% 6.9% 2.7% Swing 0.9% 0.4% 1.3%
Percentage of seats gained by each of the five biggest parties, and number of seats gained by smaller parties and independents.
Taoiseach before election Bertie Ahern Fianna Fáil Subsequent Taoiseach Bertie Ahern Fianna Fáil

Bertie Ahern
Fianna Fáil

Bertie Ahern
Fianna Fáil

The Irish general election of 2007 took place on 24 May 2007 after the dissolution of the 29th Dáil by the President on 30 April 2007, at the request of the Taoiseach. The electorate was given the task of choosing the members of the 30th Dáil who met on 14 June 2007 to nominate a Taoiseach and ratify the ministers of the Government of the 30th Dáil. While Fine Gael gained 20 seats, Fianna Fáil remained the largest party. The election was considered a success for Fianna Fáil; however, Fianna Fáil's junior coalition partners in the 29th Dáil, the Progressive Democrats, lost six of their eight seats.

On 12 June 2007, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party reached agreement on a draft Programme for Government, this was subsequently ratified by the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party and Green Party members on 13 June 2007. This resulted in the formation of a coalition government on 14 June 2007 between Fianna Fáil, the Green Party and the Progressive Democrats. The government was initially supported by four Independent TDs.

On 29 April 2007, President Mary McAleese dissolved the 29th Dáil on the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. The election date was officially set as 24 May 2007; the 30th Dáil would convene on 14 June 2007 at which stage the Taoiseach would be nominated and the rest of the Government approved for appointment by the President. Official campaigning began as soon as the announcement had been made.