Money Can't Buy Everything in Elections

Big money didn’t guarantee victory in recent by-elections—Fine Gael spent nearly 77,000 euros, Fianna Fáil close behind, but the Social Democrats snagged a seat on just 16,400 euros. Half the cash went to posters, and spending varied wildly by region, with Galway costing more due to sheer scale. Surprisingly, strategy and grassroots connection beat pure cash—like Social Democrats’ win with minimal funds. With EU rules banning paid political ads, campaigns must now build organic online presence, making authenticity and engagement more vital than ever. Money still matters, but it’s no longer the only ticket to victory. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/1c40aadf44ac5f30