Next Irish presidential election

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This article or section contains information about a forthcoming election. Content may change dramatically as the election approaches.

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The next Irish presidential election is due to take place in October 2011, unless the incumbent President of Ireland, Mary McAleese vacates the office prematurely. To qualify, candidates must:

• be a citizen of the state
• be over 35 years of age
• be nominated by:
  • At least twenty members of the Oireachtas (parliament), or
  • At least four county or city councils, or
  • Her/himself (in the case of an incumbent or former president that has served one term).

Contents 1 Oireachtas members by party 2 Likely candidates 2.1 Fianna Fáil 2.2 Fine Gael 2.3 Labour 2.4 Green Party 2.5 Sinn Féin 2.6 Independent 3 References

[edit] Oireachtas members by party

As at 4 April 2008:

Party		TDs	Senators	Total
	Fianna Fáil	78	28	106
	Fine Gael	51	14	65
	Labour Party	20	6	26
	Green Party	6	2	8
	Sinn Féin	4	1	5
	Progressive Democrats	2	2	4
	Independent	4	7	11

It may be seen here that only Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Labour Party have enough members to nominate a candidate alone. But a Green Party/Progressive Democrats/Independent joint effort could easily yield twenty nominations, enough to field a candidate.

[edit] Likely candidates

[edit] Fianna Fáil

• Senator Mary White has announced her intention to stand for election.^[1]
• Taoiseach Bertie Ahern resigned his post on 6 May 2008. The Evening Herald has speculated that he may stand for the Presidency.

[edit] Fine Gael

No candidates yet declared.

[edit] Labour

No candidates yet declared.

[edit] Green Party

No candidates yet declared.

[edit] Sinn Féin

Sinn Féin have repeatedly stated their aim to have party leader Gerry Adams MP MLA elected President in time for the centenary of the Easter Rising but it has been said Michelle Gildernew may contest the elections to again have a Sinn Féin party member in place as president by the centenary of the Easter Rising (i.e. 2016)^[2]

[edit] Independent

Other possible candidates include:

• Senator David Norris^[3] – who already campaigned unsuccessfully in 2004.
• Dana, Rosemary Scallon – Family rights campaigner and former MEP, third-placed candidate in 1997 and tried for nomination in 2004.
• Mary Robinson (President 1990–97) – Former presidents who have not served two terms may nominate themselves for election at any time.

[edit] References

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