2025 Irish presidential election
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The 2025 Irish presidential election is due to take place by 11 November 2025.[1][note 1] The election will determine the tenth president of the Republic of Ireland. The incumbent president, Michael D. Higgins, is term-limited, having served the maximum two terms permitted under the Constitution of Ireland.[4]
Procedure
Presidential elections are conducted in line with Article 12 of the Constitution[5] and under the Presidential Elections Act 1993.[6] The president is elected through instant-runoff voting (described in the constitution as proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote).[7] All Irish citizens entered on the current electoral register are eligible to vote.[5] The 2025 election will be the first presidential election since the 2023 establishment of the Electoral Commission.
Dates
The term of the incumbent, Michael D. Higgins, ends on 11 November 2025. Assuming Higgins does not die or leave office before then, the Constitution requires the election to be not more than 60 days before 11 November. The precise date of the election will be fixed by ministerial order of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Candidates may only be nominated after the making of the presidential election order, which will also specify a closing date for nominations.
| Year | Ministerial order | Close of nominations | Election date | Inauguration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 15 September | 30 September | Thursday, 30 October | 11 November |
| 2004 | 13 September | 1 October | Friday, 22 October[note 2] | 11 November |
| 2011 | 30 August | 28 September | Thursday, 27 October | 11 November |
| 2018 | 28 August | 26 September | Thursday, 26 October | 11 November |
Nominations
To stand for election as president of Ireland, candidates must:
- be a citizen of Ireland
- be at least 35 years of age
- be nominated by:
- at least 20 of the 234 serving members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, or
- at least 4 of the 31 county or city councils, or
- themselves, in the case of a former or retiring president who has served one 7-year term (currently only Mary Robinson).
If a member of the Oireachtas or a County or City council nominate more than one candidate, only the first nomination paper received from them will be deemed valid.[6] Under the Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, there is a spending limit by each candidate of €750,000.[8] Candidates who are elected or who reach 12.5% of the vote on their elimination are entitled to a reimbursement of expenses up to €200,000.[9]
Prospective candidates
A number of individuals have declared their intention to seek the necessary nominations to run in the election, and a number of political parties have declared their intention to nominate a candidate. The period for nomination of candidates has not yet opened. No candidate to date has sufficient declared support for a nomination.
Fine Gael
While Fine Gael has not chosen their nominee, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris confirmed that the party will nominate a candidate to contest the election.[10] Fine Gael are not expected to finalise their candidate selection until early September.[11]
Joint left-wing candidate
Throughout 2025, left-wing parties have discussed running a jointly nominated candidate, with talks involving Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, the Greens, and People Before Profit. According to Paul Murphy, however, the viability of a unified bid will largely depended on whether Sinn Féin opt to back a consensus choice or field its own candidate.[12] A decision by Sinn Féin is expected by the end of the summer.[12] Frances Black ruled herself out in June 2025.[13]
On 11 July 2025, Catherine Connolly confirmed she would be running for president, seeking the joint left-wing nomination.[14] The Social Democrats immediately confirmed the party would support her bid.[15]
| Party | Presidential candidate | Supported by | Sources | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent |
Catherine Connolly
|
Social Democrats | [15] | ||
Independent
| Party | Presidential candidate | Supported by | Sources | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent |
Peter Casey
|
[16] | |||
Independent |
Conor McGregor |
[17][18] | |||
Aontú
Aontú party leader Peadar Tóibín has stated that the party is seeking to nominate a candidate.[19]
Speculative candidates
Some other potential candidates have not ruled out seeking the necessary nominations to contest the election.
Fine Gael
- Simon Coveney, former Tánaiste[20]
- Mairead McGuinness, former European Commissioner[21]
Fianna Fáil
A number of figures have said they are open to being nominated by Fianna Fáil to run in the election. However, in July 2025, the leader of Fianna Fáil Micheál Martin stated that the party would not run a candidate unless that candidate "would command a very broad consensus or would have a realistic opportunity of getting a significant vote".[22] The following have stated they are open to running or have been noted by news sources as possibble candidates:
- Bertie Ahern, former Taoiseach[23]
- Geraldine Byrne Nason, Ambassador of Ireland to the United States[24]
- Colum Eastwood, former leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party and MP for Foyle in Northern Ireland.[25][26]
- Mary Hanafin, former Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport[27][28]
- Pat "the Cope" Gallagher, TD for Donegal and former Minister[29][30]
- Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, MEP for South[31]
- Peter Power, former Minister of State for Overseas Development.[32]
- Gareth Sheridan, entrepreneur and founder of American pharmaceutical firm Nutriband[33]
Sinn Féin
- John Finucane, MP for Belfast North in Northern Ireland[34][35]
- Mary Lou McDonald, President of Sinn Féin[note 3][37]
Labour
- Ivana Bacik, leader of the Labour Party[38]
- Fergus Finlay, charity worker and columnist[39]
- Brendan Howlin, former leader of the Labour Party[40]
- Michael J. Ryan, public health specialist and activist[note 4][41]
Independent or multi-party
- Noeline Blackwell, former CEO of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre[42]
- Luke 'Ming' Flanagan, MEP for Midlands-North West[43]
- David Hall, activist[44]
- Declan Ganley, former leader of eurosceptic Libertas.eu party[45]
- Claire Hanna, leader of the Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland[46]
- Alice-Mary Higgins, senator for National University, daughter of incumbent president Michael D. Higgins[47]
- Linda Martin, singer and winner of the Eurovision Song Contest[48]
- Aubrey McCarthy, senator for Dublin University and humanitarian[49]
- Colm O'Gorman, activist and former senator[50]
- Katriona O'Sullivan, academic and author[51]
- Fintan O'Toole, journalist and author[47]
- Tommy Tiernan, comedian and chat show host[52][53][54]
- Mick Wallace, former MEP for South[55][note 5]
Declined candidates
Several speculative candidates have declared that they will not seek to contest the election.
Fine Gael
- Frances Fitzgerald, former Tánaiste[56]
- Seán Kelly, MEP for South[57]
- Enda Kenny, former Taoiseach[21]
- Heather Humphreys, former Minister[58]
- Leo Varadkar, former Taoiseach[59]
Fianna Fáil
- Micheál Martin, Taoiseach[60]
- Seán Ó Fearghaíl, former Ceann Comhairle[40][61]
- Barry Andrews, MEP for Dublin[62]
- Joe Duffy, broadcaster[note 6][11]
Sinn Féin
- Gerry Adams, former President of Sinn Féin[63][64]
- Michelle O'Neill, First Minister of Northern Ireland[65]
- Jarlath Burns, President of the Gaelic Athletics Association[note 7][66]
Aontú
- Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú[67]
Green Party
- Eamon Ryan, former leader of the Green Party[68][69]
Social Democrats
- Holly Cairns, leader of the Social Democrats[24][70]
- Róisín Shortall, former TD for Dublin North-West[71]
Labour Party
Independent
- Frances Black, senator on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, activist and singer[13]
- Tom Clonan, senator for Dublin University[45]
- Joe Duffy, broadcaster[73]
- Sharon Keogan, senator on the Industrial and Commercial Panel[74]
- Michael McDowell, senator for National University, barrister and former Tánaiste[75]
Opinion polling
| Last date of polling |
Polling firm | Bertie Ahern | Frances Fitzgerald | Róisín Shortall | Gerry Adams | Mairead McGuinness | Michael McDowell | Catherine Connolly | Fintan O'Toole | Frances Black | Other | None of the above |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 April 2025 | Ireland Thinks[76] | 11% | — | — | — | 34% | 20% | — | — | 17% | 6%[a] | 12% |
| 9% | 3% | — | — | 27% | 16% | — | — | — | 18%[b] | 27% | ||
| — | — | — | — | — | — | 16% | 10% | 11% | 17%[c] | 45% | ||
| 2 February 2025 | Ireland Thinks[47] | 13% | 6% | — | — | 24% | 19% | — | — | — | 5%[d] | 33% |
| — | — | 15% | — | — | — | 14% | 11% | 10% | 2%[e] | 48% | ||
| 9 December 2024 | Amárach Research[71] | 21% | 29% | 32% | 18% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
- ^ Conor McGregor 6%
- ^ Heather Humphreys 6%, Peter Casey 4%, Seán Kelly 4%, Barry Andrews 3%, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú 1%
- ^ Fergus Finlay 8%, Lynn Ruane 4%, Alice-Mary Higgins 2%, Linda Martin 2%, Conor Murphy 1%
- ^ Seán Kelly 5%
- ^ Alice-Mary Higgins 2%
Notes
- ^ Contingencies which might delay the election include the death of a nominated candidate[2] or the calling of a Dáil general election.[3]
- ^ Poll cancelled because only one candidate was nominated, and returned unopposed
- ^ McDonald stated in March 2025 that she would not be the Sinn Féin nominee but in July 2025 stated the party was "not ruling anything out"[36]
- ^ Ryan's political affiliation is unknown, but is still being considered by the party
- ^ Wallace stated he would not seek to run if Catherine Connolly was in the running
- ^ Duffy is not a member of Fianna Fáil, but was still considered by the party
- ^ Burns is not a member of Sinn Féin, but was still considered by the party
- ^ Duffy is not a member of the Labour Party, but was still considered by the party
References
- ^ "Presidential elections". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 18 March 2025.
Michael D. Higgins, the current President was inaugurated for his second term on the 11 November 2018. This means that the next presidential election is scheduled to take place on or up to 60 days before 11 November 2025.
- ^ Presidential Elections Act 1993 s.31(2)–(4)
- ^ Presidential Elections Act 1993 s.8
- ^ "Public Notice Presidential Election 2018 Nomination of Candidates" (PDF). Presidential Election 2018. 24 September 2018. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2018. Retrieved 28 September 2018.
- ^ a b Article 12 of the Constitution of Ireland. "Constitution of Ireland". Irish Statute Book. Attorney General of Ireland. October 2015. Archived from the original on 3 May 2019. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ a b "Presidential Elections Act 1993" (PDF). Irish Presidential Election. Presidential Returning Officer. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 September 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
- ^ Power, Jack (25 October 2018). "Presidential election: Everything you need to know before voting". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 26 October 2018. Retrieved 28 October 2018.
- ^ Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, s. 6: Limitation of presidential election expenses. (No. 14 of 2011, s. 6). Enacted on 25 July 2011. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 2 March 2025.
- ^ Electoral (Amendment) Act 2011, s. 5: Reimbursement of expenses at presidential elections. (No. 14 of 2011, s. 5). Enacted on 25 July 2011. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 2 March 2025.
- ^ Finn, Christina (19 March 2024). "Fine Gael will run its own presidential candidate separate to Fianna Fáil, Harris confirms". The Journal. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
- ^ a b c Lehane, Mícheál (5 July 2025). "Joe Duffy says he will not contest presidential election". RTÉ News. Retrieved 5 July 2025.
- ^ a b Leahy, Pat (1 July 2025). "Sinn Féin needed for left presidential candidate, says PBP". The Irish Times. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ a b Monahan, Tabitha (24 June 2025). "Frances Black rules herself out of presidential run". Irish Independent. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ McNamara, Denise (11 July 2025). "Catherine Connolly announces plans to launch presidential election bid next week". Galway City Tribune. Retrieved 11 July 2025 – via Connacht Tribune.
- ^ a b McQuinn, Cormac (11 July 2025). "Catherine Connolly announces plans to launch presidential election bid next week". The Irish Times. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ^ White, Jack (2 March 2025). "'Better prepared' businessman Peter Casey to run for president again after Higgins departure". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ^ Blanco, Andrea (21 March 2025). "Conor McGregor: As president I will make Ireland great again". The Times. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
- ^ "Conor McGregor says he wants to be Ireland's next president". Sky News. 21 March 2025. Retrieved 21 March 2025.
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- ^ Hurley, Sandra (22 March 2025). "'Speculation rife over runners and riders for Áras". RTÉ News. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
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- ^ Monahan, Tabitha (16 July 2024). "'If I run, I'm running to win' – Bertie Ahern says he hasn't ruled out presidential bid". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
- ^ a b McGee, Harry (5 June 2025). "Race for the Áras: Mike Ryan and Bertie Ahern among names circulating but parties wary of 'knee-jerk' selection". The Irish Times. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ "Expect race for Ireland's next president to be a sprint". RTÉ News. 20 June 2025.
- ^ "SDLP MP Colum Eastwood considering Irish presidential bid". BBC News. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 20 June 2025.
- ^ McGee, Harry (21 April 2025). "Mary Hanafin 'open to conversation' with Fianna Fáil on presidential run". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 April 2025.
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- ^ "'It won't be me' – McDonald rules out presidential bid". RTÉ News. 21 March 2025.
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- ^ a b Matt Cooper and Ivan Yates (17 May 2025). "Path to Power Episode 71: In Sickness and in Health". Path to Power (Podcast). Event occurs at 48:50. Retrieved 19 May 2025.
- ^ Horgan-Jones, Jack (17 May 2025). "Dr Mike Ryan targeted by political parties for potential presidential run". The Irish Times. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
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- ^ McQuinn, Cormac (19 March 2025). "David Hall considering potential run for president". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ a b Lehane, Mícheál (3 July 2025). "Candidates mooted as presidential election nears". RTÉ News. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
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- ^ "Eamon Ryan TD: The Green Party's most successful leader". Eolas Magazine. 1 April 2024.
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- ^ a b Horgan-Jones, Jack (5 March 2025). "Róisín Shortall tells former colleagues she has no interest in running for presidency". The Irish Times.
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- ^ "Meath Senator with Cavan links rules out Áras bid". Northern Sound Radio. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 20 March 2025.
- ^ McGee, Harry (23 May 2025). "Michael McDowell rules out seeking nomination for presidential election". The Irish Times. Retrieved 23 May 2025.
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