European Parliament election, 2009 (Ireland)
The European elections in the Republic of Ireland took place on Friday, June 5, 2009. In parallel, local elections were held in Ireland. In addition, there were two by-elections to the Irish Parliament in the constituencies Dublin South and Dublin Central, as their constituency representatives had died. As a result, four political parties and an independent candidate shared the 12 Irish seats: Fine Gael 4 seats (29.1% vote share ), Fianna Fáil 3 seats ( 24.1% vote share ), Labour Party 3 seats ( 13.9% vote share ) and Socialist Party 1 seat ( 2.7% share of the vote ). As a winner, especially the Labour Party could apply under Eamon Gilmore, who were gaining two seats compared to the 2004 European elections. The biggest loser was under Sinn Féin Gerry Adams, on the basis of the current selection mode empty-handed despite 11.2% overall share of the vote. Turnout was 57.5 % about the same level as in the last European elections (then 59.0 %).
Selection mode
The election took place according to the principle of transferable Einzelstimmgebung place in four major constituencies (North -West, South, East and Dublin), in each of which three deputies were elected. Compared to the 2004 European elections, the number of deputies to be elected Irish had been reduced from 13 to 12. In order to meet this change the number to be elected in the constituency of Dublin deputies was reduced from 4 to 3 and the Counties Longford and Westmeath were annexed by the East constituency in the electoral district of North -West.