Sinn Fein eyes government, Irish unity poll after election surge

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald reacts after the announcement of voting results in a count centre, during Ireland's national election, in Dublin, Ireland, February 9, 2020. REUTERS/Phil Noble

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Sinn Fein on Monday said it wanted a major role in Ireland's next government after a record election showing, a move that would raise its central goal of reunification with Northern Ireland near the top of the agenda in Dublin for the first time.

The left-wing Irish nationalist party stunned the establishment by beating the two centre-right parties that have led every government in the country's history, almost doubling its vote share from the last election to 24.5%.