Following the withdrawal of Mairead McGuinness from the presidential election the Fine Gael Executive met tonight to decide on what the plan was going forward with a candidate.
It’s understood Fine Gael will tomorrow open its’ nomination process for anyone seeking the Fine Gael candidacy for the upcoming Presidential election.
President Michael D Higgins’ term will conclude on November 11th. As per Bunreacht na hÉireann, the election of the next President must take place within the sixty days before that – so any stage from September 13th to November 10th.
Fine Gael’s Executive Council, in line with party’s constitution and rules, have decided the following applies for the party to select a candidate.
- There will be a two-week window for nominations.
- Nominations will open at noon on Tuesday, August 19th and close at noon on Tuesday, September 2nd.
- To be nominated, a candidate needs the nomination of 20 members of the Parliamentary Party, 25 Fine Gael Councillors and five members of the Executive Council.
In the event of a contest:
- An electoral college voting system applies – the same as to ratify the Programme for Government or elect a Party Leader. Under this electoral college system, every member in compliance with the two-year rule has a vote. The membership element of the college is worth 30% of the overall vote, the Councillors’ votes are worth 15% and the Parliamentary Party votes account for 55%.
- There will be a postal ballot of members to take place after the close of nominations. The Parliamentary Party will vote in one location, and a decision is to be taken as to how councillors will vote (whether in person or by postal ballot).
The result will be announced, and the candidate ratified at the Fine Gael Presidential Election Candidate Selection Convention in mid-September.
Statement from Tánaiste Simon Harris TD on Presidential Election following meeting of Fine Gael Executive Council.
“Tonight we formally paid tribute to Mairead McGuinness for all her incredible public service and wish her a full recovery.
“Fine Gael took a decision to contest the Presidential Election a number of months ago and that remains our position.
“Over the next 2 weeks, there will now be an opportunity for people who wish to seek the Fine Gael nomination to come forward and to engage with our TDs, Senators, Councillors and members from right across Ireland.
“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.”
