Free Market Party

Free Market Party Páirtí Margadh Saor in Aisce
Founded	1996
Dissolved	2019
Headquarters	Shanbally
Youth wing	Free Youth
Ideology	Laissez-faire Right-wing populism Conservatism Nationalism Eucloscepticism
Political position	Right-wing
Euclean Parliament group	Alliance of Euclean Nationalists
Colours	Gold,   Black
Politics of Caldia Political parties

The Free Market Party (Ghaillish: Páirtí Margadh Saor in Aisce, PMSA) was a right-wing populist political party in Caldia. The party described itself as socially conservative with a nationalist and free market foundation, though it has been characterized by some as far-right, national-conservative, and anti-immigration. The party was involved in a series of controversies, most notably regarding the 2016 Spálgleann Attacks. It faced significant losses in the 2017 Comhthionól election where the party saw its seat count and primary vote share collapse. A number of PMSA politicians began to defect from the party, joining other parties or forming new ones. The party voted to dissolve itself before the 2019 snap election.

It was founded in 1996 by the economist Eoin Ó Corráin who was dissatisfied with the nation's approach to Euclea. Originally a single-issue Euclosceptic party, over the years the party platform was expanded to appeal to the broader right wing. The party was known for its Eucloscepticism and actively worked against the Euclean Community. It was staunchly opposed to the euclo and called for Caldia to leave the Euclozone. In 2005, the Caldish Independence Party split off from the party as some of its members became disenfranchised with the new platform. The party has since began to strengthen its appeal with white working class voters, who most of its policies are tailored to. The party saw its highest support in the Highlands and historically industrial centres such as Shanbally.

It was the first right-wing populist party to enter the Tionól since the Liberty Party in the 1937 general election. Unlike the Liberty Party, the Free Market Party continued to move gradually to the right while it was in the Tionól.

History

Foundation

The Free Market Party was first registered with the Electoral Commission in September 1996. It was established by Eoin Ó Corráin, a prominent economist who closely advised the government of Patricia Flowers. Ó Corráin was a strong supporter of a free market and laissez-faire economic policy. The PMSA was initially founded as a single-issue party in opposition to prospective Caldish membership in the Euclozone and maintained a general distaste for the greater Euclean Community. Ó Corráin was a strong critic of the Gaullican social market economic model, taking a strong stance against government policies aimed at creating a strong welfare state and equal opportunity. He also supported privatization of government owned companies and some government services, such as infrastructure maintenance. The party first contested the 1997 election but failed to make significant headway and received fewer than 5,000 first preference votes.

In the Tionól (2002-2016)

The party rose to prominence during the 2007 Comhthionól election, where it managed to gain 17 seats. Previously, the party held 2. In the years after, the party saw continued electoral success, winning a total of 44 seats in the 2012 Comhthionól election.

Downfall (2016-2019)

As of the 2016 Seanad election, it won 3 of the 25 elected seats. It also sends 1 MEP to the Euclean Parliament. As of 2017, the party has 7 TCs. On 14 January 2017, MEP Liam Ó Cuillinn was expelled from the party and TC Bairre Ó Raghallaigh left the party after a spat with the party leadership. The following month, four TCs referred to as the "Gang of Four" were expelled from the party. Ó Cuillinn and those with servered ties to the party formed the National Party. Senator Breandán MacCeallach left the party on 18 March.

Electoral History

Election year	First Pref votes	%	# of overall seats won	+/-	Government
1997	4,887	0.1	0 / 399		in opposition
2002	204,271	3.3 (#7)	2 / 399	2	in opposition
2007	359,926	5.9 (#5)	17 / 399	15	in opposition
2012	847,900	13.9 (#3)	44 / 399	22	in opposition
2017	278,555	4.5 (#8)	7 / 399	37	in opposition

Leaders

• Eoin Ó Corráin (September 1996 - June 2002)
• Áine Ní Raghallaigh (June 2002 - April 2005)
• Seán Mac Diarmaid (April 2005 - November 2009)
• Pádraigín Ní Baoighill (November 2009 - August 2016)
• Saorla Ní Chadhla (August 2016 - June 2017)
• Muirís Ó Raghallaigh (June 2017 - February 2019)