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23rd Jun 2018

President Michael D. Higgins looks set to stand for another term

Paul Moore

Michael D. Higgins

Miggeldy looks set to stick around.

President Michael D. Higgins has informed senior Government figures that he plans on seeking a second term in office, as reported by The Irish Times.

During the 2011 presidential election, Mr Higgins made it clear that he he would only be a one-term President but it appears that he has softened that stance.

The same report states that the President has informed a number of Cabinet Ministers about his intention to stand again, ahead of a formal announcement next month.

Senator Gerard Craughwell is the only person to have confirmed their position to run against Mr Higgins. It’s expected that Fianna Fáil will offer no candidate in the presidential election, if one occurs, while Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has expressed her desire to see a Sinn Féin candidate on the ballot.

Candidates require the signature of 20 Oireachtas members or four local authorities to sign the nomination papers.

At present, the provisional date for the presidential election has been scheduled for October 26th.

The same election should also contain two referendums on the issue of blasphemy and the clause in the constitution that makes reference to a “woman’s place in the home”.

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