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|office2          = [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta|Teachta Comhthionól]]<br>for Spálgleann North
|office2          = [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta|Teachta Comhthionól]]<br>for Spálgleann North
|term_start2      = 12 June 1997
|term_start2      = 12 June 1997
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|term_end2        = 18 February 2019
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'''Darragh Seamus Ballíck''' (23 May 1950) is a Caldish politician and formerly the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Leader of the Social Democrats]]. He has been the [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta|Teachta Comhthionól]] (TC) for Spálgleann North since 1997. Before entering politics, he was an {{wp|accountant}}.
'''Darragh Seamus Ballíck''' (23 May 1950) is a Caldish politician and formerly the [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)|Leader of the Social Democrats]]. He was the [[Comhthionól Náisiúnta|Teachta Comhthionól]] (TC) for Spálgleann North from 1997 to 2019. Before entering politics, he was an {{wp|accountant}}.


Since his tenure as party leader began on 28 June 2012 following a vote by SDs TCs, Ballíck has continued the trend of moving the party further to the left. Commentators say this is the direct result of the centrist tendencies of [[Taoiseach of Caldia|Taoiseach]] [[Alexis Walker]] and the policies implemented under her administration. This has most recently been reflected in the party's [[Social Democratic Party (Caldia)#platform|2016 platform]], which was unveiled at the SDs in Shanbally Conference. He introduced new stances such as a commitment to decrease oil production and promote green energy abroad, a reduction of nuclear power in favor of replacing it with wind and solar power, and a commitment to building a new "comprehensive, well rounded welfare state with a safety net for all".
Since his tenure as party leader began on 28 June 2012, Ballíck has continued the trend of moving back to the left. Commentators speculated that this is the direct result of the centrist tendencies of former [[Taoiseach of Caldia|Taoiseach]] [[Alastrí Nic Ualtair ⁊ Ní Deoradh]] and the policies implemented under her administration. Ballíck supported increased public spending, deeper involvement of the state in the economy, and committed the party to environmentalist causes. Under his leadership, the PSD took new stances such as a commitment to decrease oil production, promote green energy abroad, and a reduction of nuclear power in favor of replacing it with wind and solar power. These positions were the PSD's response to the green policies of the Nic Ualtair.  


After strengthening ties with the [[Green Party (Caldia)|Green Party]], he oversaw the negotiations that led to the forming of the Red-Green Alliance, an electoral between Ballíck's Social Democrats and the Greens. During the campaign for the [[Glytteronian Comhthionól election, 2017|2017 Comhthionól election]], a series of gaffes hampered his ability to campaign. While at a campaign event in [[Shanbally]], Ballíck was egged by union affiliated protesters. He was also caught saying he was "tired of dealing with [union] nonsense". The Caldish National Trade Congress declined to comment on the situations, but the Social Democrats received bad press. [[Labour Party (Caldia)|Labour Party]] leader [[Ivan Melnikov]] accused Ballíck of being a "faux socialist" on the campaign trail and met with the leadership of three of Caldia's most prominent unions. The Social Democrats initially dismissed this, but the Union of Seamen and Shipbuilder's Federation endorsed the Labour Party and in a joint statement accused Ballíck of isolating {{wp|organized labor}} in favor of {{wp|environmentalist}} policies.  
After strengthening ties with the [[Green Party (Caldia)|Green Party]], he oversaw the negotiations that led to the forming of the Red-Green Alliance, an electoral between Ballíck's PSD and the Greens. During the campaign for the [[2017 Caldish general election|2017 general election]], a series of controversies hampered his ability to campaign. He found conflict with the party's traditional trade unionist base. Critics accused Ballíck of weak positions on labour in order to court urban liberal voters with environmentalist policies. He was egged by union affiliated protesters twice and was caught being dismissive of union concerns. The [[Caldish Trade Union Confederation]] continued to support Ballíck, but some individual union leaders broke ranks and instead supported the [[Labour Party (Caldia)|Labour Party]]. While most of the organized labour movement remained behind the PSD, the party received bad press and Ballíck struggled to establish himself during the campaign.  
 
The PSD had a worse showing in 2017 than it did at the [[2012 Caldish general election|2012 election]], losing 12 seats. The party's vote share declined to its lowest ever at 20.23%. Ballíck announced his intention to resign shortly after and has since retired from politics.  


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Darragh Ballíck was born to Niall Ballíck, a worker in a textile factory, and Nancy Mulligan, a schoolteacher,  on 23 May 1950. He was born in [[Spálgleann]]. He was the youngest of five children. His family was part of the industrial class and his father had extensive involvement in the labor movement and often campaigned on behalf of Social Democratic candidates in Spálgleann.  
Darragh Ballíck was born to Niall Ballíck, a worker in a textile factory, and Brighdín Ní Fionnáin, a schoolteacher,  on 23 May 1950. He was born in [[Spálgleann]]. He was the youngest of five children. His family was part of the industrial class and his father had extensive involvement in the labor movement and often campaigned on behalf of Social Democratic candidates in Spálgleann.  


Darragh was the only one of his siblings to attend university, while his four older brothers all went to trade schools and entered the industrial workforce. After serving two years in the [[Caldish Army|army]], he studied at King's University Shanbally and graduated with a business degree in accounting.  
Darragh was the only one of his siblings to attend university, while his four older brothers all went to trade schools and entered the industrial workforce. After serving two years in the [[Caldish Army|army]], he studied at King's University Shanbally and graduated with a business degree in accounting.  
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He has never married and has no children. Ballíck is an {{wp|agnostic atheism|agnostic atheist}}.  
He has never married and has no children. Ballíck is an {{wp|agnostic atheism|agnostic atheist}}.  


[[Category:Glytteronians]][[Category: Glytter]]
[[Category:Caldish people]]

Latest revision as of 17:16, 30 January 2022

Darragh Ballíck
Martin McGuinness MLA.jpg
Leader of His Majesty's Most Loyal Opposition
In office
28 June 2012 – 19 June 2017
MonarchKenneth IV
DeputyStiofán Mac Suibhne
Succeeded byStiofán Mac Suibhne
Leader of the Social Democrats
In office
28 June 2012 – 13 June 2017
DeputyStiofán Mac Suibhne
Succeeded byStiofán Mac Suibhne
Teachta Comhthionól
for Spálgleann North
In office
12 June 1997 – 18 February 2019
Personal details
Born
Darragh Calvin Ballíck

(1950-05-23) 23 May 1950 (age 74)
Spálgleann, Caldia
Political partySocial Democrats
Alma materKing's University Bulfawst
Military service
Branch/serviceGaldish Army

Darragh Seamus Ballíck (23 May 1950) is a Caldish politician and formerly the Leader of the Social Democrats. He was the Teachta Comhthionól (TC) for Spálgleann North from 1997 to 2019. Before entering politics, he was an accountant.

Since his tenure as party leader began on 28 June 2012, Ballíck has continued the trend of moving back to the left. Commentators speculated that this is the direct result of the centrist tendencies of former Taoiseach Alastrí Nic Ualtair ⁊ Ní Deoradh and the policies implemented under her administration. Ballíck supported increased public spending, deeper involvement of the state in the economy, and committed the party to environmentalist causes. Under his leadership, the PSD took new stances such as a commitment to decrease oil production, promote green energy abroad, and a reduction of nuclear power in favor of replacing it with wind and solar power. These positions were the PSD's response to the green policies of the Nic Ualtair.

After strengthening ties with the Green Party, he oversaw the negotiations that led to the forming of the Red-Green Alliance, an electoral between Ballíck's PSD and the Greens. During the campaign for the 2017 general election, a series of controversies hampered his ability to campaign. He found conflict with the party's traditional trade unionist base. Critics accused Ballíck of weak positions on labour in order to court urban liberal voters with environmentalist policies. He was egged by union affiliated protesters twice and was caught being dismissive of union concerns. The Caldish Trade Union Confederation continued to support Ballíck, but some individual union leaders broke ranks and instead supported the Labour Party. While most of the organized labour movement remained behind the PSD, the party received bad press and Ballíck struggled to establish himself during the campaign.

The PSD had a worse showing in 2017 than it did at the 2012 election, losing 12 seats. The party's vote share declined to its lowest ever at 20.23%. Ballíck announced his intention to resign shortly after and has since retired from politics.

Personal life

Darragh Ballíck was born to Niall Ballíck, a worker in a textile factory, and Brighdín Ní Fionnáin, a schoolteacher, on 23 May 1950. He was born in Spálgleann. He was the youngest of five children. His family was part of the industrial class and his father had extensive involvement in the labor movement and often campaigned on behalf of Social Democratic candidates in Spálgleann.

Darragh was the only one of his siblings to attend university, while his four older brothers all went to trade schools and entered the industrial workforce. After serving two years in the army, he studied at King's University Shanbally and graduated with a business degree in accounting.

He has never married and has no children. Ballíck is an agnostic atheist.