Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny has called for a general election on February 26.
He made the announcement to the public through Twitter, writing: "I am seeking a dissolution of Dail Eireann [the Irish parliament] today with the election to be held on February 26th." He then asked for authorization to do so from President Michael Higgins.
Ireland has had the strongest economic growth in the European Union recently, reaching seven percent between January and September of 2015, but AFP reports that voters are still bitter over years of financial difficulties and sacrifices.