Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are the two largest political parties in Ireland. Both parties have their roots in the pro-Treaty side of the Irish Civil War, which took place between 1922 and 1923. However, they have distinct ideologies and policies that differentiate them.
Fine Gael is a center-right party that emphasizes fiscal responsibility, a market-based approach to the economy, and a pro-European Union stance. The party also supports strong public services and a commitment to social justice, but with a focus on individual responsibility and self-sufficiency.
Fianna Fáil, on the other hand, is a center-right to center-left party that emphasizes economic and social equality, as well as Irish unity. The party also supports a mixed economy, with a balance between private enterprise and state intervention in certain areas. Fianna Fáil has traditionally been more skeptical of the European Union than Fine Gael, but it is not opposed to the EU.
In terms of political ideologies, Fine Gael is considered a Christian democratic and liberal-conservative party, while Fianna Fáil is considered a social democratic and populist party.
Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have alternated in power in Ireland since the 1920s, and they have often formed coalition governments with smaller parties.
