Fine Gael Reopens Nominations for Presidential Candidate

Fine Gael announced that it will reopen nominations for its presidential candidate following a meeting of its Executive Council. This decision comes after the unexpected withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the race last week, where she cited medical advice as the reason for her departure. The party is now seeking to identify a suitable candidate in preparation for the upcoming presidential election.

In a statement released after the Executive Council meeting, Fine Gael expressed its best wishes to McGuinness and outlined the nomination process. Nominations will reopen at noon tomorrow and will remain open for two weeks. Potential candidates must secure endorsements from 20 members of the Parliamentary Party, 25 Fine Gael Councillors, and five members of the Executive Council.

Should multiple candidates emerge, an electoral college system will be employed for the vote, a process that has been established for over two years within the party. Simon Harris, the party leader and Tánaiste, emphasized that this is an opportunity for individuals interested in the nomination to engage with party members across Ireland. He stated, “This will enable us to have a candidate in place by mid-September, in plenty of time for the election in the weeks ahead. I wish any and all prospective candidates the very best.”

Following the withdrawal of former Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Sean Kelly, an MEP, confirmed that he is reconsidering his earlier decision not to run. Kelly, who had initially withdrawn to allow McGuinness to be the sole nominee, expressed renewed enthusiasm about his candidacy over the weekend. Sources indicate that he is determined to pursue the nomination.

Additionally, former Minister Heather Humphreys has also indicated her interest in running, and senior party sources suggest she is a leading candidate within the party hierarchy. There is a desire among party officials for a single name to be proposed, similar to McGuinness’s nomination. However, Kelly’s insistence on entering the race suggests that a contest may be unavoidable.

Meanwhile, Regina Doherty, a member of Fine Gael’s National Executive, acknowledged the tight timeline for the nomination process. She noted that if multiple candidates surface, the party will need to conduct hustings across the country prior to voting. The electoral college system gives significant weight to the Parliamentary Party in deciding the nominee.

Harris previously expressed his wish for a competitive nomination process, indicating that it could invigorate the party ahead of the election. As Fine Gael moves forward in this critical phase, the next two weeks will be pivotal in determining its presidential candidate.