Ireland’s energy minister Alex White was among the high profile casualties as government parties suffered a drubbing in the country’s General Election.
White failed to retain his seat in the three-seat Dublin Rathdown constituency where he polled just over 4000 first preference votes. He was eliminated on the fourth count.
The result capped a torrid day for White’s Labour party which won just six seats, down from 37 in the 2011 General Election.
Coalition partners Fine Gael also suffered losses, with its share of the vote down from 36% to around 25.5%. The coalition has failed to secure enough seats to retain its majority.
Fianna Fail and Sinn Fein, as well as Independents, made significant electoral gains.
A drawn out phase of negotiations is now expected as parties seek to form a new government.
Image: Alex White (Labour)
