Presidential Election 2025

Hoping Steen gets the nomination and a pity for democracy that G Sheridan didn't succeed with his. Very very difficult to call this with 3 in the race, no way will the FF and FG electorate go along with the party line. Gavin very wooden and hasn't impressed along with a huge no of FF'lers not wanting him on the ticket but M Martin wouldn't listen. Humphries husbands past OO history, whether we like it or not is a massive hindrance to her, never mind the fact that he doesn't want the Áras as his home. A few weeks ago she had no intention of running, wanted time with family, etc. It'll come back to haunt her. C Connelly is a clever lady, may not always say what the media are telling us is right, or wrong, but the electorate will decide on that. No way will she be the 1st eliminated and FF, FG, have only themselves to blame for that. Also, people want to give both Gov parties a root up the rear end. Right now it's there for C Connolly to win this particular election. If Steen gets the go ahead all bets are out the window

NO, but I don't want the bar lowered in a way which will produce a large number of candidates probably of dubious quality.

Wandering on here trying to find out whether there is any word RE Maria Steen. Several news outlets stating she has either 17 or 18 nominations.

I wish there were independent candidates. But i truely dont want Maria Steen to be on the ballot. Its a shame that none of the other indos managed to get the support of councils, but it was obviously pre-ordaned by the larger parties. Which does seem unfair.

For me though, having a member of the Iona institute run for president, is simply a bridge too far. I would question what sort of constitutional issues could come up were she to refuse to sign something into law, given her 'sincerely held religious beliefs'. I have read enough about the iona instute, its funding which has been all but proven as coming from christian right wing organizations with links to Russia

I suspect she wouldnt win, but even the mere chance is not worth taking. Interested to see what happens, but even if she merely got on the ballot, here votes could be very useful to conservative and Christian-Right adjacent parties, who seek to undermine the progress that has been made in this country.

But it is a shame that the election is only being fought between 3 candidates, and with Catherine Connolly and the Hamas gaff, it will probably be a FFG victory. Its unfortunate

Why is it a disgrace? The makeup of the councils largely mirrors the makeup of the dail…

There is an independent. Her name is Catherine Connolly and she was the first to properly get nominated. She is being supported by SF as well as labour, soc Dems, Greens and solidarity/PBP.

Where in the constitution does it say that the council route was designed to allow extra candidates join the field and why was it only first used in 1997 election?

• It gives her a huge platform during the campaign, and she is an able debater. Considering her organization is the closest thing we have to the Christian Right in this country, i think that is bad for the country
• She will receive support from outside the country, as is common place for certain world leaders who wish to see Ireland be dragged further into the culture war.
• She could cause issues if this country decided to legislate for euthanasia, as her, 'sincerely held religious beliefs' could prevent her from signing on these issues
• The chance of her winning, would bolster the Iona institute - should also point out, FYI, 'institute', is not a protected term in Ireland.
• Posts like the one below, send a farage adjacent shiver down my spine

We have watched America nearly tare itself to pieces, and Britain become politically unstable thanks to Trump, and Brexit. Sorry but we dont need that. RTE is value for money, we have free speech, and immigration can be debated in public, by politicians and citizens alike. We dont need to contaminate the aras with this

I agree completely.

It wont matter though, if she doesnt get on the ballot, Gript, Aontu, Sen Mullen, et al, will all complain about this for the next few years.

I for one, look at the political instability in the US, and Britain, and dont want it coming to this country. But the above would all benefit from a shake up, because they are losing ground.

You are correct in my opinion. The system exists, and if she fails to get the nod, that is unfortunate, but it is democracy.

If people dont like it, they can vote with their feet for parties that campaign to change it. And have another go in 7/14 years time

The rules of the Oireachtas say nothing about parties being obliged to block other candidates being added to the ballot paper by forbidding their TDs, senators and councillors from nominating another candidate. The council route was clearly intended to allow extra candidates be added to the ballot outside of the regular Oireachtas process, 'not' to be totally blocked off and preventing any other candidates from running in the election.

Given that none out of Gavin, Humphreys or Connolly came through the council route, the main parties had a bit of a cheek to effectively instruct the councils not to nominate any other candidate.

Its 17 for sure. She stated that on rte news. I assume one of the supposed 18 got cold feet or was never the lock that her supporters were suggesting.

She might pull of a miracle in the morning, but she probably left it a little to late to get into the race, some of the rejections tonight are not down to political differences, but would be more ego knowing that Steen is only approaching them as a last resort.

She would do quite well if nominated , she's a savvy media performer, good debater, and lets be honest she is easy on the eye. She also is someone people would find authentic compared to Jim and Heather who stand for SFA.

She will have lots of funding from overseas, Musk and his bot army might get involved, then when it comes to voters, numerous voting blocs to tap into, pro lifers, anti establishment types and while I don't think she is a racist herself nor would be the majority of her voters, who do you think the racists are going to vote for?

I don't have much of an issue with Aontu despite agreeing with them on SFA and would never call them far right, but its going to be Malachy Stenson, Gavin Pepper types doing just as much work on the ground as Peader sadly. She may in private curse them , but would she distance herself from them? Unlikely.

I don't think she would win if she gets on the ballot, but for all those people who say she has no chance let me have 50/1 if she gets to the magical 20 because its supposedly free money😀

Lowering it slightly won't flood the candidate list.

Fascinating how so many posters not just support the status quo, but believe it has to be protected and defended. Even if that means justifying keeping someone off a ballet just in case they might win, even though they also think they have no chance of winning. But let’s not take the risk, as (other) people are stupid and might vote in a direction other than the one I favor.

Is it any wonder populism —> far right is growing? Governments ignoring their constituents, half the constituents are happy with status quo so nothing will likely change due to electoral system, half the electorate get more and more pissed off, response is label them as deplorables, Nazis. Racists..

Societies ultimately get what they deserve.