The new Irish President contenders from ex-Taoiseach to mystery Sinn Fein plan after hotly-tipped big name pulls out
JUST over 200 days to go until the election to decide who will become Ireland's next President, and we still have no real contenders putting up their hand to try to take the top job.
After 14 years, Michael D Higgins will leave Aras an Uachtarain at the end of the year, with November 11 being the latest date an election can be held.
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President Michael D Higgins is unable to run again after serving his two terms
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However, with Michael D unable to run again, after serving his two terms, expect some big names in politics to come forward this time around to try take the role.
Political parties and potential candidates are playing their cards close to their chests so far, with no one wanting to be the first runner to declare for the race.
Presidential campaigns can be difficult, exhausting, and personal affairs, so it seems the political parties want to try to keep the election as short as possible.
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Former Tanaiste Frances Fitzgerald today pulled out of the race before it even began as she ruled out a run for the Aras – despite being widely tipped within
Here, we take a look through the potential candidates being talked about in the Leinster House rumour mill.
THE FINE GAELER
LAST year, there were rumours that coalition pals Fine Gael and
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Former European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinness is definitely the front runner for Fine Gael's candidacy
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A host of big names in the party have been floated about political circles, including ex-
Frances Fitzgerald's announcement today that she will not be putting herself forward would indicate that party may have decided who they want.
Some figures in the party have talked up
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Heather Humphries' surprise decision not to run in the general election looked like a play for the Aras and she has not ruled out a run.
However, former European Parliament Vice President Mairead McGuinness is definitely the front runner for Fine Gael's candidacy.
The popular former MEP has been working the TV and radio circuit to keep her name in the frame, and I think that will put her at the top of the list for Fine Gael.
WILL BERTIE RETURN?
FORMER Taoiseach
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Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been enjoying having his name linked with the Presidency
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I was in the Helix in DCU in March 2023 when a group of students interrupted a ceremony where Bertie was getting an honorary doctorate.
They were furious that their college would celebrate a politician who was involved in financial scandals and claimed he was an 'architect of the financial crisis'.
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Do Fianna Fail really want to see Bertie and the party's past dragged up in a high profile election campaign? I don't think so.
Insiders in Fianna Fail are instead talking up Dublin MEP Barry Andrews as a possible Aras candidate after he topped the poll in the Europeans.
But could a potential celebrity-turned-Fianna Fail politician steal his thunder? More on that later.
SINN FEIN
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Mary Lou McDonald has not ruled out Sinn Fein backing a united opposition candidate
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The most recent opinion poll puts them back on top as the most popular party in the country.
A series of scandals rocked the party in the run-up to the general election, and they failed to hit the heights they had previously expected.
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But the Aras election could be coming at the right time for Sinn Fein this time around and what a win it would be for the party to have the presidency.
But who can they run? One thing for certain is it won't be Mary Lou McDonald. She's ruled herself out.
While former leader
Some have talked about Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill possibly running for the Aras but that also seems unlikely.
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So it is still unclear who Sinn Fein will run in the presidential race but party sources indicate that they will put someone forward instead of backing a joined opposition candidate.
INDEPENDENT'S DAY?
THE new Coalition haven't achieved too much yet since they took office, but one thing they have managed to do is unite the opposition parties.
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Frances Black announced that she will not be putting herself forward
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The opposition eventually lost that battle despite all their protests, but could they get their revenge in the presidential election?
Independent MEP Luke Ming Flanagan has also declared an interest in running for the Aras this time around.
The
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While the leaders remain tight-lipped on their potential runners, two names have emerged: Independent TD Catherine Connolly and Independent Senator Frances Black.
Senator Black has also confirmed that she has been approached by a couple of parties about potentially running for them in the election.
Outside this, former Tanaiste-turned-Independent Senator Michael McDowell is also rumoured to be considering a run and would easily secure the nomination through the
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November 11 is the latest date an election can be held
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