In 1992, a general election in Ireland led to the Labour Party's best results to date, paving the way for Dick Spring to lead his party into coalition with Fianna Fáil.

The 1994 local and European elections were seen in some quarters as a mid-term report on that coalition's performance.

The strong result by the Green Party in particular was interpreted as a warning that left-leaning middle class voters were moving away from Labour.

[1] The election was notable for how some parties ran "parachute candidates" (like Orla Guerin for Labour) who did not resonate with voters as well as incumbent, grassroots campaigners.

[2] The popularity of President Mary Robinson led to parties presenting more female candidates than usual, four of whom became MEPs on this occasion.