Irish presidential election: Who is running and what’s at stake?

Al JazeeraCenterEN 14 min read 100% complete by Mariamne EverettOctober 23, 2025 at 03:08 PM

AI Summary

long article 14 min

Voters in Ireland will elect a new president on Friday for a seven-year term. The election takes place amid a shift towards a more polarized political system, with left-wing and right-wing candidates competing for the first time in Irish history. The two previously dominant parties, Fianna Fail (FF) and Fine Gael (FG), have traditionally held a centrist position, but recent elections have seen Sinn Fein, a left-wing nationalist party, gain significant support. The presidency has a relatively limited political role, with duties including representing Ireland abroad and ensuring the Irish Constitution is followed. The election marks a historic moment in Irish politics, as it brings together objectively left-wing and right-wing candidates for the first time. The outcome will be closely watched, given the significance of this shift in Ireland's political landscape.

Key Topics & Entities

Dublin 30% Barry Colfer 40% Fine Gael ×250% Fianna Fail ×250% Sinn Fein ×260% Ireland ×570% Michael D Higgins ×280%

Keywords

irish presidential election 80% polarised political system 70% left-right divide 60% fine gael 50% sinn fein 50% fianna fail 50% presidential election 40% irish politics 40% anglo-irish treaty 40%