Ireland has proved a partial exception to the anti-incumbent mood in elections around the world. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which have dominated Irish politics for a century, remain in the driving seat, though their combined share of the vote has declined to just over 40%.

A marathon vote-counting exercise was underway Saturday in Ireland's national election after an exit poll suggested that the contest is a close-fought race among the country's three largest political parties.

Counting is underway for the second day after Ireland’s election. The early results show the historically dominant parties have done enough to remain in government as a Coalition. Ireland Prime Minister Simon Harris says his party “will have a very significant role to play in the years ahead.