Heather Humphreys Officially Nominated as Fine Gael’s Presidential Candidate

UPDATE: Heather Humphreys has been officially confirmed as Fine Gael’s Presidential nominee, following the withdrawal of Sean Kelly. The announcement comes just days ahead of the crucial election set for October 24, adding urgency to the upcoming campaign.

The former Minister for Social Protection will be ratified as the party’s nominee at an event on Saturday, September 13. This follows a dramatic nomination process that saw Humphreys emerge as the sole candidate to meet the necessary criteria after Kelly dropped out, citing the inability to gather support from at least 20 Fine Gael parliamentary members, 25 councillors, and five executive council members.

“I love this country; it has made me everything I am and given me everything I have,” Humphreys stated after her nomination. She emphasized her commitment to honesty, compassion, and community service as she prepares to launch her campaign. “I promise to bring people together and represent Ireland on the world stage,” she added, expressing her excitement to connect with voters across the nation.

Fine Gael leader and Tánaiste Simon Harris congratulated Humphreys, praising her integrity and vision for unity. “In an increasingly divisive world, I believe Heather can break down barriers and bring people together,” Harris said in support of her candidacy.

As the political landscape heats up, other parties are also finalizing their nominees. Currently, the only confirmed candidate is Independent Catherine Connolly, who has garnered backing from the Labour Party, Social Democrats, and People Before Profit, forming a left-wing coalition. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil is deliberating its nominee, with former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin emerging as a favorite.

The countdown to the Presidential election is intensifying, with counting set to commence on October 25. If no candidate secures a majority in the first count, the process may extend into the following morning, keeping the nation on edge.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and the political battle unfolds in the lead-up to one of the most significant elections in Ireland’s recent history.