Support for Ireland's Green Party surged in European and local elections, an exit poll Saturday showed, putting it in line to take its first seats in the European Parliament and make the biggest gains in county and city councils.
The Greens were set to win as many as three of the 13 European seats up for grabs and increase their local vote to 9 percent from less than 2 percent five years ago, according to the RTE-TG4 RED C exit poll, a showing that would put the party in contention for government formation if repeated at a parliamentary poll.
While Ireland does not hold a significant share of the 751-seat EU chamber — and will initially send 11 MEPs until Britain actually leaves the bloc — an ebb in support for mainstream parties is raising hopes among Europe's Greens that they could act as kingmakers.