Aontú is a political party in Ireland, established on January 28, 2019. The party emerged from a split with Sinn Féin and is led by Peadar Tóibín.
Its headquarters is located in Navan, County Meath. Aontú operates across both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, advocating for Irish republicanism and social conservatism.
The party slogan is "Life, Unity, Economic Justice." Political Stance: Aontú combines elements of social conservatism, notably its opposition to abortion, with advocacy for a united Ireland and center-left economics. The party is characterized by a stance of "rural conservatism and traditionalism," as noted by political commentators, and it holds Eurosceptic views.
Economically, Aontú favors increased public spending on housing and supports policies like ending zero-hour contracts and promoting collective bargaining.
As of 2023, Aontú reported having approximately 1,300 members and has a youth wing known as Ógra Aontú. The party is represented in Dáil Éireann with one seat out of 160 and holds three seats in local government across the Republic of Ireland.
Aontú's political strategy includes advocating for significant policy changes in Ireland. They support the idea of Irish reunification and have expressed the need for practical steps towards this goal in response to Brexit.
The party also criticizes the current state of the Irish political system, citing a lack of genuine debate and the suppression of diverse opinions.
A significant focus for Aontú is its strong pro-life stance. The party opposes the liberalization of abortion laws in Ireland and advocates for measures that would provide more support to pregnant women and oppose abortion based on disability or gender selection.
This stance sets Aontú apart from other major Irish political parties, which have shifted towards more liberal abortion policies.
Aontú emphasizes the need for balanced regional development to counteract the over-concentration of resources and population in Dublin. The party proposes increasing infrastructure investment in less developed areas and supports the development of an all-Ireland economy to mitigate the effects of Brexit and enhance economic integration between the North and South.
The party voices concerns over economic disparities in Irish society, including issues related to healthcare access, housing, and living wages. Aontú advocates for economic policies that would address these inequalities and promote a more equitable distribution of resources across Ireland.
Aontú seeks to address Ireland's current economic, social, and political challenges with a blend of traditional conservatism and progressive economic policies, focusing on unity, life, and economic justice as core values.