As the Irish go to the polls Thursday to vote on the European Union fiscal discipline compact, it’s the posters up the nation’s lampposts that tell a story of how Prime Minister Enda Kenny may likely have secured a hard-won victory.
Ireland’s constitution required the compact’s passing by way of a referendum.
It was a vote that Mr. Kenny’s coalition did not wish to face.
Just over a year ago, he had swept to power on a wave of voter disgust at the country’s debt crisis. Since then, Irish unemployment has remained high, as the euro debt crisis escalated.
And most of the 25 EU governments planning to participate in the new fiscal union would have found a treaty that imposes stricter budget rules a hard sell. However, opinion polls suggest 60% of voters will vote “yes” when the ballots are counted through Friday.
Mr. Kenny’s coalition advisers had a three-point plan for its campaign: that the treaty will bring stability to Ireland and the euro zone; it’s only about “good housekeeping” rules that no one should oppose; and that a “yes” vote will secure access to emergency funds, if the country were to need such more loans when its current bailout expires at the end of next year.
And the coalition’s posters up the lampposts hammered home the messages. “For Investment, Stability, Recovery — Vote Yes,” says the posters of Mr. Kenny’s Fine Gael party. “Yes, For Stability”, says those of his coalition partner.
Mr. Kenny’s subliminal warnings to voters were clear enough: voting “no” would make things a good deal; invite instability; and risk the country’s future.
Whether Mr. Kenny’s pro-treaty lampposts posters have delivered the vote will be known soon after counting begins Friday morning.