Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris expressed concern over the rising support for Independent candidates in the upcoming elections. McDonald argued that a government reliant on Independents won’t lead to meaningful change, while Harris highlighted that previous support for Independents led to his party’s need for a coalition. The warnings come as Independents secured 20.9% of the vote in local elections, indicating a potential shift in voting patterns that could challenge traditional party strongholds. Outgoing Independent TD Carol Nolan criticized Harris’ comments, reflecting the contentious atmosphere leading up to the elections.