Irish General Election (February 8th 2020)

[Velasco]

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Plus, there's the fact that Sinn Féin has a similar position in the Irish political system as far right in the rest of Europe - a party of working-class nationalist populism. I'm sure most of Irish media (and Labour/Green voters) would react to an SF victory as if they were the Le Pens.

Not a big fan of the shinners, but the comparison is unfair. On the one hand, establishing the comparison based on their working-class constituency is... classist. If anyone wants to compare SF and the formerly named ''National Front'', the correct approach is looking for their policies. What is the SF platform advocating on immigration, economy, bread and butter policies? On the other hand, ''nationalism' and''populism'' are ery broad umbrelllas. Where are the similarities between their respective national projects? Have they the same idea of ''people''?

Anyway the laziness of Irish media is not remarkable. Many lazy commentators in Spain have established somilar comparisons with Podemos. SF has a big affinity with Bildu, btw.

[Velasco]

Well, one not insignificant difference is that the IRA no longer exist as even an inactive armed organisation. Takes like this aren't really helpful as they ignore the divergences in different places.

ETA no longer exists. It was dissolved on May 3, 2018 (ceased operations in December 2011)

That being said, there are some differences between Northern Ireland and the Basque Country. I'm not for banning political organizations that I dislike, on the other hand. Otherwise I'd go for Vox or any other far-right bunch.

[Velasco]

Well, one not insignificant difference is that the IRA no longer exist as even an inactive armed organisation. Takes like this aren't really helpful as they ignore the divergences in different places.

Oh they definitely should not be banned now of course. Sinn Fein should have been banned in the 70s or 80s, at the height of the Troubles. Any ban after the GFA is dumb.

If you want Irish reunification, that is fine (and you had SDLP and FF on both sides of the border). But violence is never an option and parties using violence and terrorism should be banned

Similarly I would also ban the paramilitary unionist parties in NI (not sure how many of them there were/are though)

If I was an Irish nationalist, I would tell you don't forget the British Army and the Royal Ulster Constabulary. Happily the times of the Troubles are gone and this is off-topic now in 2020. Again, the Irish context is not necessarily rhe same that you are familiar to. If you want to start a topic on Irish reunification or the Troubles, there are other boards.