Ryan Research Podcast Rising Left Populism in Ireland - László Molnárfi - Ryan Research Podcast Ep. 26
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Jan 22, 2026 
László Molnárfi, a community organizer and former student union president in Ireland, discusses his left populist critique of the mainstream left. He argues that populism isn’t inherently negative and could unite the populace around progressive causes. The conversation delves into current Irish politics, the impact of multinational corporations, and the need for a nuanced response to migration. Molnárfi highlights the importance of Irish history in left politics and advocates for a revival of republican socialism ahead of the 2030 elections.
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Left Shift From Class To Campus Issues
- Trotskyist-imported parties in Ireland shifted from class-first politics to university-centered liberal identity issues.
- That shift detached them from the working class and reduced their appeal as authentic left representatives.
CityWest Riot As Community Resistance
- CityWest residents protested after the state bought the community's hotel to house asylum seekers without consultation.
- Molnárfi frames the riot as resistance to corporate and state power, not simple racism.
Address Migration With Class-First Answers
- Do engage with migration debates using context-based, class-first analysis instead of dismissing concerns as racism.
- Unite migrants and native workers while answering valid local questions about labor and exploitation.