Irish voters are on course to give the go-ahead to austerity pact
IRELAND is set to give the green light to the European Union’s new fiscal treaty, according to the final opinion polls before a referendum on Thursday.
The Eurozone nation will hold what is likely to be the only popular vote on the so-called “fiscal compact”, a German-inspired pact for stricter budget discipline across the currency bloc.
The “Yes” campaign, supported by the three largest political parties who have warned a rejection would undermine the country’s position in the Eurozone, has been ahead in the polls since the vote was called three months ago.
While opponents have tried to tap growing anger at the government’s austerity drive to defeat the treaty, 49 per cent of voters plan to vote in favor, with 35 per cent against and 16 per cent undecided, according to a Sunday Business Post/Red C poll.
If undecided voters are excluded, the treaty is backed by 58 per cent of voters, with 42 per cent against.
Debate in Dublin has focused mainly on a clause that allows access to Europe’s new bailout fund only to states that ratify the treaty – something the government has described as an essential backstop to its plans to return to bond markets.
But as voters go to the polls on Thursday, Irish politicians are mindful that voters have twice rejected European treaties in recent years before reversing course in repeat votes.