Ireland's two large centre-right parties are set to begin their search for a coalition partner this week after Friday's election left them just two seats short of the 88 needed to govern, a choice that will help determine their policy platform.

Politics in Ireland has traditionally been dominated by two parties - Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Both parties emerged following a split in nationalist opinion over the 1921 Anglo-Irish Treaty. Sinn Féin has become the main opposition party after making significant gains in 2020 and topping the popular vote,

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael can form a majority coalition with as few as two other deputies – provided they're able to renew their agreement.