Next Left country case study – Republic of Ireland

Join us for the online launch of the latest volume in the Next Left Country Case Studies series, a flagship publication of the Next Left Research Programme by FEPS and the Karl-Renner-Institut. This series offers in-depth, comparative insights into the evolving landscape of social democratic parties across Europe and beyond, exploring their organisational transformations, electoral trajectories, and future prospects.

This edition focuses on Ireland with an analysis of the Irish Labour Party (ILP), a longstanding and distinctive actor in the country’s political and socio-economic landscape. Rooted in the trade union movement, the ILP has maintained a clear progressive identity while adapting its positions over time notably shifting from Euroscepticism towards a strong pro-European orientation and embracing a broader civil liberties agenda. Yet, despite its enduring influence, the party has never become the largest political force in Ireland, a trajectory closely linked to the legacy of the Civil War and the structure of the party system.

The volume examines the ILP’s strategic evolution, including its most recent phase under Ivana Bacik’s leadership, and situates its choices within a changing political context marked by strengthened competitors on the left, protest voting, and socio-economic pressures. Barry Colfer ultimately argues that the party’s key challenge lies in clearly defining its strategic direction and making difficult choices to advance social progress in contemporary Ireland.

The event will take place online and will feature a discussion by the book’s author on the key findings and reflections on what the Irish case reveals about the opportunities and constraints facing social democratic parties today.

If you are interested in joining this book launch, please send an email to Iris Vijverberg, FEPS Project Officer (iris.vijverberg@feps-europe.eu).