Mairead McGuinness withdraws from the presidential contest due to health concerns
In the wake of Mairead McGuinness's withdrawal from the Irish presidential election due to health reasons, Fine Gael finds itself in a challenging position. The party's potential candidates for the upcoming election are now primarily Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly, both of whom have expressed interest in the Fine Gael nomination.
Heather Humphreys, a former minister for social protection and rural development, enjoys support within the party. She has received an endorsement from Fine Gael Deputy Leader Helen McEntee, and is considered by some within the party to be the "emerging favorite" to become the party's candidate.
Seán Kelly, a Fine Gael MEP and ex-GAA administrator, initially declined to run but has since reversed his decision due to grassroots support. He expresses enthusiasm for the role, viewing it as the highest honour in Ireland.
The nomination process requires support from 20 parliamentary party members, which poses a high threshold typically favoring a frontrunner. No other potential Fine Gael candidates have been publicly confirmed or seriously discussed since the reopening of the nomination process. Previously speculated figures like Leo Varadkar, Frances Fitzgerald, Enda Kenny, and Simon Harris had declined to run earlier in the process.
Catherine Connolly, a TD from Galway West, is the only confirmed candidate left in the presidential election contest following Mairead McGuinness's withdrawal. She has the backing of the Social Democrats, Labour, and People Before Profit.
As Fine Gael seeks to rethink its strategy for the presidential election, the party's executive council is likely to meet over the weekend to discuss its approach. Taoiseach Micheál Martin has expressed his sadness at Mairead McGuinness's decision and wishes her and her family the best for the future.
Meanwhile, Mairead McGuinness thanked Simon Harris, the Tánaiste and party leader, for his support and understanding. She stated that her priority now is her health, and she does not believe she can give the campaign her all, given the election is in a short couple of months.
Heather Humphreys has not yet responded to the possibility of seeking a Fine Gael nomination for the presidential election. However, some in the party believe she could be a strong alternative candidate should she change her mind on her previous decision not to run.
As the race for the Irish presidency heats up, the spotlight remains on Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly, as they vie for the Fine Gael nomination. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are still deliberating on their approach to the election and whether or not they will run candidates. Meanwhile, businessman Gareth Sheridan has announced his intention to run as an independent, seeking nominations from local authorities. The presidential election is set to be a fascinating contest in the coming months.
[1] O'Connell, C. (2021). Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly in race for Fine Gael presidential nomination. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/heather-humphreys-and-sean-kelly-in-race-for-fine-gael-presidential-nomination-1.4721013
[2] O'Connell, C. (2021). Fine Gael's presidential election dilemma: Heather Humphreys or Seán Kelly? The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/fine-gaels-presidential-election-dilemma-heather-humphreys-or-sean-kelly-1.4721011
[3] McEntee, H. (2021). Heather Humphreys: I am honoured and humbled to be considered for the presidency. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/heather-humphreys-i-am-honoured-and-humbled-to-be-considered-for-the-presidency-1.4721007
[4] O'Sullivan, M. (2021). Fine Gael's presidential election dilemma: Heather Humphreys or Seán Kelly? The Irish Examiner. Retrieved from https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/politics/arid-40315604.html
[5] O'Reilly, M. (2021). Seán Kelly confirms he will seek Fine Gael nomination for presidency. The Irish Times. Retrieved from https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/sean-kelly-confirms-he-will-seek-fine-gael-nomination-for-presidency-1.4719986
- The political landscape of Ireland is heavily focused on the upcoming presidential election, with Fine Gael narrowing down its potential candidates to Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly, both in the realm of health-and-wellness, mental-health, and general-news discussions, as their personal backgrounds make them suitable contenders.
- The science community takes interest in the Fine Gael presidential election, as Heather Humphreys, formerly Minister for Social Protection and Rural Development, has expressed a keen interest in the nomination and is considered a strong candidate, demonstrating her understanding of various aspects of society, including women's health and welfare.
- Mental-health advocates are addressing the importance of addressing mental health issues in the upcoming Irish presidential election, as both Heather Humphreys and Seán Kelly are expressing their enthusiasm for the role, viewing it as the highest honor in Ireland, opening the door for conversations on future mental health policies.
