Clare Daly's loss of European Parliament seat sparks online reaction

Dublin MEP candidate Clare Daly has lost her seat in the European Parliament following the recent European elections.

Daly's surprise elimination was followed by the elimination of MEP candidate Ciarán Cuffe from the Green Party, who got pushed out by Aodhán Ó Riordáin's 5,001 votes over Cuffe's 3,189, after Daly's votes were transferred.

All four seats have now been filled on the 19th count of the Dublin European election by Fianna Fáil's Barry Andrews, Fine Gael’s Regina Doherty, Sinn Féin’s Lynn Boylan, and Labour TD Aodhán Ó Riordáin.

During her stint at the European parliament, Daly denounced western “militarism” and was accused of giving succour to Vladimir Putin and other dictators, which she denied.

Daly has gained a big following on social media platforms, and has often appeared on state-leaning media in China and Russia.

The politician had also received endorsements from international celebrities during her re-election campaign, including Susan Sarandon and Annie Lennox.

Sarandon said that Daly spoke up "loud and clear for international solidarity, social justice, for peace and for the oppressed people.”

“I have been honoured to have been able to use this platform as a powerful voice for peace, antimilitarism and neutrality,” Daly posted on X, following her elimination.

“This result is not a rejection of those ideas. It is testament to the success and reach of the work we’ve done that the establishment came out in such force to harm my chances of re-election.”

Many have taken to X to express their dismay at Daly losing her seat.

Fellow Independents 4 Change member Mick Wallace said: “Her fearlessness in speaking the Truth without fear or favour was a serious problem for the Establishment, be they from the Right or the so called Left…”

What Clare Daly achieved as an MEP in the last 5 years is unprecedented and no one can take that away from her - Her fearlessness in speaking the Truth without fear or favour was a serious problem for the Establishment, be they from the Right or the so called Left... https://t.co/Sqn7r3GXLF

— Mick Wallace (@wallacemick) June 11, 2024

American political scientist Norman Finkelstein expressed his disappointment at the results, saying “each ‘defeat’ is a necessary stepping-stone on the road to victory.”

Finkelstein also quoted a speech by anti-war activist Rosa Luxemburg, in which she said “The whole road of socialism – so far as revolutionary struggles are concerned – is paved with nothing but thunderous defeats.”

I just learnt that the inimitable Clare Daly @ClareDalyMEP was not reelected to the European Parliament. It's a disappointment--but NOT a defeat. In fact, each "defeat" is a necessary stepping-stone on the road to victory:

"What does the entire history of socialism and of all…

— Norman Finkelstein (@normfinkelstein) June 11, 2024

Many others have conveyed their disappointment on X, including Greek politician Yanis Varoufakis, KNEECAP's manager and chief operating officer of Bohemian FC Daniel Lambert, and musician Kobina.

The press cannot hide their glee that the European Parliament is 'freed' of a rare voice of reason who called out the warmongers & the genocide enablers with speeches resonating the spirit of George Bernard Shaw & Bertrand Russell. This is Europe, today.https://t.co/huIJ352FNM

— Yanis Varoufakis (@yanisvaroufakis) June 12, 2024

Clare Daly embodied the sadly often only romanticised view of “Irish”, a strong voice against imperialism, against militarism, against global corporate control & for peace & equality.

Her speeches were by a distance the most viewed of Irish MEPs because they stood for something.

— Daniel Lambert (@dlLambo) June 11, 2024

I will never understand how someone from Dublin could vote or even give a preference for Niall Boylan and not Clare Daly. I don't agree with all of Clare's political stances but her work ethic, intentions and morality seem to be all in check.

— Kobina (@kobinaireland) June 11, 2024

The counting of votes in Ireland South and Midlands-North-West constituencies resumed early today, with nine of the country's 14 seats in the European Parliament yet to be filled.

In Ireland South, Fine Gael's Sean Kelly is the only candidate to be elected, and in Midlands-North-West no candidates have been elected following ten counts with the 12 count currently underway.