Next Irish presidential election

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
** Him- or herself (in the case of an incumbent or former president that has served one term).

Oireachtas members by party

As at 4 April 2008:

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.

Likely candidates

Fianna Fáil

* Senator Mary White has announced her intention to stand for the Fianna Fáil nomination. [cite web
url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/companyNews/idUKL0758775720080207?symbol=SSE.L
title=Press Digest - Ireland - Feb 7
publisher=Reuters
date=2008-02-07
accessdate=2008-02-10]
* Brian Crowley, MEP said in The Irish Times on 29 September 2008 that he would like to run for president in 2011. [cite web
url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0929/1222420014885.html
title=Fianna Fáil MEP Crowley says he would like to run for president
publisher=The Irish Times
date=29 September 2008
accessdate=2008-09-29]

Fine Gael

"No candidates yet declared."

Labour

"No candidates yet declared."

Green Party

"No candidates yet declared."

inn 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) [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/4176117.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Prepare to apologise, warns Adams|date=2005-01-14|accessdate=2008-02-10]

Independent

Other possible candidates include:

* Senator David Norris [cite web|url=http://www.bebo2nd.com/Profile.jsp?MemberId=5014599389|title=David Norris |accessdate=2008-02-10] – 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.

References