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The Irish Presidency is an office which derives from the 1937 constitution and is, generally, a copy of the role of a British Governor-General or Viceroy, which in turn is a copy of the role of the monarch as it existed, or exists, under the British Westminister Model of democracy.
In short it involves huge nominal power but, it is thought, very limited practical political power. No law can be passed in Ireland without the President's signature, all elections are called by him, he asks individuals to try to form a government and if it is formed he gives out the seals of government to the Taoiseach and Ministers, and all ambassadors meet with and are then accredited by him. But these functions are usually understood to be on the advice of the government of the day, and only where there is no person seemingly able to command a majority in the Dail, and hence no government can be formed, does the role seem to involve practical political power.
That said it clearly comes with widespread 'soft power', an ability to influence the 'mood music' as it were of the political atmosphere of the day. Hence the election of Mary Robinson as President in 1990 is often thought to herald an almost Communist atmosphere in Ireland with all subsequent Presidents taking her lead in that respect, certainly on social moral issues. (Some might say that President Mary McAleese was the exception, but this is not the case, she for example has explained recently how she campaigned for LGBT rights all the way from the 1970s I believe.) Since that time the office has also become very lucrative, with the salary weighing in at about 300,000 euro per annum and with funds at the discretion of the President of about 300,000 more, alongwith a huge residence and staff appointed and funded separately, including a chef, chauffeur, secretary, gardener etc etc.
The current incumbent, Michael D. Higgins, is coming to the end of his second 7 year term and so there is due to be an election to the office by the 11th of November of this year 2025. To be nominated for the role, i.e. to get on the ballot paper for the election which is open to all on the relevant electoral register for the 26 counties in Ireland, you need to gather the nomination of at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or 4 Local Authorities in Ireland. In practice this means that it is very easy for the three large political parties to nominate a candidate, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Sinn Fein, and quite possible for at least a coalition of smaller parties, but quite difficult for anybody else to be added to the ballot paper.
This election has generated widespread interest and numerous people seem to be seriously contemplating a run for the job, even though, as just stated, it can be difficult to understand how, for many of them, they are going to get a nomination in the first place. At any rate this is how it is lining up so far, mid July 2025:
Mairead McGuinness
Originally a journalist from the North Meath/South Louth area, she has had a long career in EU politics, culminating with a stint as an EU Commissioner, and is now the front runner having been selected by Fine Gael as their candidate.
Catherine Connolly
Originally a barrister from the Galway area she has had a reasonably long career in the Oireachtas and is often thought to be of basically the same politics as the incumbent President. She is certainly the most talked about candidate right now and is attracting widespread support among Independents and Left parties and is thought is guaranteed a nomination that way.
Conor McGregor
Famous as a distinguished MMA fighter he seems to command serious political and media power, at least in the US. He was famously a visitor to President Trump on St Patrick's Day (usurping somewhat the Taoiseach in that respect) and also been the subject of a long interview on a huge US video channel. As of yet he is not an official candidate, and it is not known how he will get a nomination, but he is widely talked about in that context, and has more than enough funds to pursue this as he is reputed to be a billionaire.
He is sometimes presented as a far right candidate and has also suffered some high profile legal set backs recently which might impact on his campaign, if he launches one.
Bertie Ahern
The former Fianna Fail Taoiseach is often mentioned in the context of this office, and it is notable that the latter party have not yet revealed their candidate, or indeed if they will nominate one, but he would usually be seen as a front runner for that spot. Other figures who might be considered FF nominees would be Mary Hanafin, Eamon O'Cuiv and, surprisingly, even Catherine Corless has been mentioned.
Nick Delehanty
Very active on twitter and other platforms, including a critical stance towards mass immigration, he owns his own business and has already launched his run for this job, although again does not yet have a nomination.
Michael Flatley
Of course well known as an Irish dancer he stated recently that he is seriously considering such a run and is forming a team to take soundings etc.
Pat Rabbitte
A well known politician and former Minister with a very high media profile, originally with Democratic Left /Workers party he was later very associated with the Labour Party and is the current chairman of Tusla, the state child protection agency. Recently, and somewhat surprisingly, he announced that he was considering his position in this regard, and ruling nothing out, although he was not often mentioned in this context previously.
Mary Lou McDonald
Sinn Fein have not as yet nominated anyone, which has led to widespread speculation much of it centring on the Sinn Fein leader herself. This party frequently nominates serious presidential candidates and puts much store by these elections, so it could be her or maybe even Gerry Adams.
Mike Ryan
Alongwith the next candidate on our list, he came to prominence during the Covid controversy, as a leading figure in the WHO, based in Geneva, and is apparently considering his options in this regard. (He is a credible 14/1 on Paddy Power odds already.)
Tony Holohan
He was the Chief Medical Officer during the whole Covid saga, and some feel almost the dictator of Ireland in that role at that time, and is reputed to be seriously considering a run here.
At any rate no doubt many other candidates will emerge but time is also running out if the election is to be held in early November.
By Brian Nugent, http://www.orwellianireland.com
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