Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín said his party will succeed in elections as it is “making sure that we had equality at the centre of our politics”. 

According to tallies for local elections, Aontú and Independent candidates are set to make significant gains this year. 

Speaking on The Anton Savage Show today, Deputy Tóibín said voters have appreciated the “common sense” approach of Aontú. 

“One of the issues was the immigration issue,” he said. 

“We very clearly focused on the chaos of the Government approach, but we didn't push towards the extreme in any way. 

“People have the right to live in this country with decency and respect. 

“[We are] trying to reform the Government’s positions but also making sure that we had equality at the centre of our politics.” 

Aontú was formed in 2019 after Deputy Tóibín resigned from Sinn Féin due to its pro-abortion stance. 

The party leader himself has described the party as left of centre economically while "socially conservative" in the past. 

Aontú performance in elections

Deputy Tóibín also noted he is “delighted” regional issues and farming were discussed during elections this year as they often become “peripheral”. 

The Aontú leader is running in the European elections for the Midlands Northwest constituency. 

With 27 candidates in the running – and a 28-inch ballot paper – Deputy Tóibín is in one of the most competitive races this year. 

He said in his own native Meath, tallies put him at 17% - although this drops to 7% in areas such as Monaghan. 

“If I can hold on longer than [Fine Gael’s] Nina Carberry I think we can get a significant number of her transfers,” he said. 

“The Sinn Féin numbers are depressed – running two candidates might cause damage to their chances of winning in this constituency.” 

Staff counting ballot papers for the local and European elections in the RDS in Dublin, 8-6-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Mr Tóibín said if elected, he will take his seat in the European Parliament – but he will still contest a general election within the next year. 

“The difference between ourselves and other parties is we’ve been upfront the whole time,” he said. 

“I’ve been brutally honest.” 

When an MEP is elected to Dáil Éireann, they can appoint a replacement in the European Parliament, such as Colm Markey. 

Counting for European elections got underway this morning, while results cannot be announced until at least 10pm tonight.