A Papal visit... with a presidential twist?
Race for Áras could be heating up as Francis lands
THE race for the Áras could be heating up just as Pope Francis visits the country.
Voting in any presidential race would have to take place between September 11 and November 10 of this year.
This would mean potential candidates seeking the nomination in August, vying for attention with Pope Francis while he is in Ireland for his much-anticipated visit and when the Dáil and Seanad are in recess.
Political parties already face having to select, plan and prepare their candidates and campaigns during the summer months if there is to be an autumn contest. An August campaign for an internal party nomination, a campaign in September and polling date in early October would clash with holidays and back-to-school preparations, while many third-level students would not have begun their semester.
This means political parties would find it hard to both canvass voters and to remain engaged with the contest, never mind the platform of an individual candidate.
President Michael D Higgins has indicated he will confirm whether he intends to seek a second term ‘by July’, an effect of which is that rival organisations and candidacies would be left with minimal time to prepare. It would also mean that candidates hoping to get on the ballot by the local authority route, seeking the backing of at least four, could find it hard to locate and schedule meetings around the country.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has indicated that her party would like to contest the presidential election if there is bound to be a poll – but would not necessarily precipitate a contest if President Higgins should decide to run again, as is widely expected.
Independent senator Gerard Craughwell, who has already announced his candidacy, says no citizen should simply be confirmed for a second term in the office of the presidency without the will of the people being ascertained.
He believes he has secured pledges of support from the necessary 20 members of the Oireachtas, whose signatures on a nomination form would enable his name to go on the ballot paper.
Sinn Féin’s Ms McDonald said at the weekend: ‘I have said consistently as a matter of principle that I believe that Uachtarán na hÉireann should involve an election.
‘I don’t favour this idea that someone just moves from one term of office into another automatically. I think it’s healthier to have the debate.’
Minimal time to prepare
THE timing for presidential candidates when it comes to getting their backers lined up is certainly not ideal. Who’d want to be chasing councillors for a seal of approval this summer when all focus is on the Park for another reason altogether?
With Pope Francis the main attraction there, the candidates won’t have a prayer when it comes to attracting attention in their own direction!