Despite a growing voice online, Newstalk presenter Shane Coleman predicts there will not be a surge in far-right candidates in upcoming elections. 

With local and European elections approaching on June 7th, many have questioned whether there is a new kind of candidate emerging – and how popular they will be. 

The newly formed Independent Ireland Party, for example, boasts former RTÉ Presenter Ciarán Mullooly and broadcaster Niall Boylan as European Parliament candidates. 

There is also a question of whether the upcoming elections will a rise in far-right candidates getting elected. 

Shane, who spent several years as a political correspondent, warned against seeing these elections as overly unique compared to others. 

“I wouldn't overstate the presence of new candidates,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“European or local elections, particularly European elections, do tend to bring out sort of higher profile candidates. 

“But there is something afoot - how strong that movement is, I’m not sure.” 

No huge growth for the far-right

Acknowledging he is not “omniscient” and did not correctly predict the 2020 general elections, Shane said he does not think there will be a surge in far-right figures winning elections. 

“I do have concerns about this kind of viewpoint that we are inevitably moving to the right, that we will see a surge in search candidates elected,” he said. 

“My guess is we will not - I don't think we will see many far-right candidates elected. 

“It is possible we will see a couple, [but] I don't personally detect any huge movement towards the kinds of people we see on social media who are making speeches at various rallies and who are standing for the election.” 

Rise in independent candidates

Shane did suggest we will see a rise in independent candidates winning who are “playing a little bit fast and loose in relation to the immigration issue”. 

“They know they don't have to make decisions on this because they know they won't be held accountable for things,” he said. 

“For example, we shouldn't be part of this migration pact, we need to have closed borders and so on. 

“Things that need to be challenged but aren't being challenged and I think they are attractive to voters. 

“I'm not saying all independents are anti-immigration, but I think that is a factor.” 

Shane noted the latest Business Post/Red C poll saw support for independent candidates increase by 2 points to 19%. 

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