Race for the Aras – who are the candidates vying to replace Michael D Higgins as the next President of Ireland
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Michael D. Higgins was first elected President in 2011
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The beloved figure was originally inaugurated as president in 2011, and then re-elected in 2018.
And as the country gets ready to bid President Higgins a fond farewell, all sights have turned to who will take his place.
A
While there is a country-wide vote, there are certain criteria a candidate has to meet before making the ballot.
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They must be an Irish citizen and 35 years of age or older.
You must be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, or at least four local authorities.
However, former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves.
If there is just one candidate nominated they will be elected without a vote, however, that is unlikely to happen this time around.
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INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE
Independent TD Catherine Connolly has confirmed she will put herself forward for the presidency.
And it is believed she will easily surpass the nomination criteria, meaning we are almost guaranteed to see her name on the ballot this year.
Ireland fans blown away by Fiji's 'class gesture' to President Michael D. Higgins moments before rugby clash
Brian Stanley, Charles Ward, and Seamus Healy, also independent TDs, have confirmed they will back Catherine's bid.
LEFT LEANING CANDIDATE
Left-leaning parties could row in behind Deputy Connolly as a combined left-wing contender.
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Labour, who Connolly resigned from in 2007, has explored the prospect of running its own candidate and has opened a two-week consultation period.
The Green Party said no decision has been made yet on who could be backed by the party in the election.
However, party leader
The Galway native has already got the support of the Social Democrats, People Before Profit, and several independents.
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SINN FEIN
Sinn Fein's
But sources told The Irish Sun they do not believe that Mary Lou is seriously being considered for the party's nomination for the presidency as she still holds the desire to become Ireland's first female Taoiseach.
However, deputy leader Pearse Doherty last week denied that floating her as a contender for the presidency was a media game to try to generate headlines.
FIANNA FAIL
Ex-Minister Mary Hanafin wants to become President of Ireland and last month threw her hat in the ring to become Fianna Fail's candidate.
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She told
However, the
She could face competition from former
And former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern openly flirted with the idea of running as president by not ruling out the prospect during several media interviews.
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FINE GAEL
Former EU Commissioner Mairead McGuinness will be in the Aras race.
She has been nominated to contest the 2025 Presidential Election this year for
In a letter sent to Fine Gael members this week, McGuinness said she expects the election campaign to be "full on."
Tanaiste and Fine Gael leader
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Michael D Higgins will say goodbye to Aras an Uachtarain on November 11, 2025
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