Ireland's Two Fronts: Martin Chases EU Budget Deal as Public Sector Strike Looms

The coalition government is simultaneously fighting two high-stakes battles — one in Brussels and one at home. Taoiseach Micheál Martin faces mounting pressure to broker a multi-billion-euro EU budget deal before Ireland's EU Presidency rotates out, with fears that a French far-right election victory next year could torpedo the entire negotiation. Meanwhile, at home, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers is staring down the largest strike ballot in Irish trade union...