Irish PM kicks off election focussing on immigration, housing and Trump

Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Simon Harris makes a statement at Government Buildings calling a General Election, in Dublin, Ireland, November 8, 2024. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

DUBLIN (Reuters) - Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris on Friday announced the formal start of the country's general election campaign, hoping to retain his coalition's lead in polls and to capitalise on a slide in support for the opposition Sinn Fein.

Harris had until March to go to the polls, but has been paving the way for an earlier election since a 10.5-billion-euro giveaway budget that began hitting voters' wallets this month. He confirmed this week that voting day would be Nov. 29.