Presidential Election 2025

That is what she is trying to do. I think that is problematic in itself, it seems the left honestly believe that the vast majority think that MDH's second term was a success and that everyone agrees with them. I have a feeling that many don't.

As of February he had an approval rating of 64%, so I think he's done alright. https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/major-conflict-looms-as-poll-shows-public-back-opposition-over-dail-speaking-rights-row/a157181892.html

It would be a perfect time to address the question.

'If you wish to express an opinion, will you moderate that opinion to stay in line with the government of the day's opinion?'

Not so sure the electorate will look favourably on someone who answers 'yes' to that, in this day and age. That ship has long sailed, it's not the '50's anymore.

LP are not centre-left in their current guise. The are the left.

Can you imagine LP lining up with FF … oh! yeah I can. The only reason is to support Colm Eastwood, perhaps Clint Eastwood would have a better chance of winning the Irish Presidential election.

Also FF don't need Labour they have enough Oireachtas Members to nominate a candidate.

Mary Robinson was an active activist for women and emigrants while in office. Mary McAleese was on NI issues.

The world has changed Mark, quite a while ago. And it hasn't ended because a President is vocal on an issue that is of concern to them.

Rubbish.

They are elected for their record of public service and their principles to uphold the State and its people.

The President is the guardian of the Constitution, above all. If we got to a situation where we had an American, or Hungarian or previous Polish type regime, that threatened the integrity of the Constitution by passing improper laws, or to circumvent its provisions for their own gain / power / enrichment, not only would I want the President to be an 'activist', I would be the first to expect and demand it of them.

You are defining what an 'activist' is to suit your own argument.

Mary Robinson was an activist on behalf of women and emigrants during her term.

Here she faced down the government and had her say on the X case, which had women's rights at the very core of it.

President Robinson told Taoiseach Charles Haughey that she had "extreme difficulty in accepting such a narrow and restrictive interpretation of the role of the President".

While she agreed that the President should not get involved in matters of Government policy and should always take care to avoid any public conflict with the Government, she pointed out that she had "a mandate for developing the representational role of the Office".

In Government Buildings, officials complained that the President was giving media interviews without informing the Government, never mind getting permission first. They worried that Presidential "actions or statements, which can be interpreted politically, will inevitably lead" to conflict with the Government.

And then came the X Case, in which the Attorney General sought a High Court injunction to prevent a 14-year-old rape victim leaving the country to have an abortion.

Addressing women's groups in Waterford a few days after the news broke, President Robinson said: "I hope we have the courage which we have not always had to face up to and look squarely and to see this is a problem we have got to resolve".

The Taoiseach’s spokesman tried to calm the resulting media storm, saying the President was "echoing" the Government’s concerns on the issues. But the Assistant Secretary to the Government, Frank Murray, disagreed, saying that the President had created "a situation of controversy" by her remarks.

*Bolding mine.

Higgins is not unique, the trail was blazed a long time ago and the electorate seem comfortable with that.

I'd feel like disagreeing with them or ignoring what they said. That's my prerogative as a citizen. The president is giving an opinion, they are not issuing decrees.

I disagreed with Robinson inviting the Queen over contrary to government (led by Reynolds) wishes, for instance, nor do I agree with everything Higgins has to say.

Why do you think Mairead McGuinness will walk it with easy?

IMO this time round it will be on political party preference. The Opposition and the government both really need this to be a vote on the government.

It would be a bad sign if SF and FF decide not to put a candidate forward because middle Ireland want a former TV presenter that know one under the age of 40 remembers from the TV, and many voters who probably never watch Ear to the Ground or know what the show is.

I don't it's that much of an open-and-shut case for SF. In retrospect they would have been better sitting out the last presidential election than coming in at 6 % FPV and a case could have been made for supporting MDH as a soft-left, soft-Republican Gaeilgeoir, alleged poet etc. Similar argument could be advanced re CC this time. I'd say they'll be investing heavily in private polling right now…

MDH expressed the view that SF should not hold the office of President. I think them supporting him would never have been a runner.

'Word on the street' passing as fact now. 😁
If these folk wanted to move her on, why would they not just do it, the membership is apparently (according to word on the street) under their control and do everything they are told.

I really don’t think she has a hope of winning the presidency.

If they can dig up dirt on Gallagher, Lenihen, Norris etc.; imagine what they will come up with for MLMD?

Not a hope.

If CC, MLMD, MMcG and some non-entity FFer run, MLMD has a good chance, if she can stay ahead of CC. She will get CC's transfers, propelling her into first place, and enough of FF transfers will go nowhere or get lent to SF that she will be neck and neck with MMcG in the end.