2025 Irish presidential election
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The 2025 Irish presidential election must take place by 11 November 2025.[1] The election will elect the tenth president of the Republic of Ireland. The current president, Michael D. Higgins, is term-limited since he has already served two full terms.[2]
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.
Confirmed candidates
The following candidates have enough pledged nominations from Oireachtas members to stand for election.[3]
| Party | Presidential candidate | Entry Date | Campaign | Supported by | Sources | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Catherine Connolly
|
11 July 2025 | (campaign) catherineconnollyforpresident |
32 Oireachtas members:
|
[5][6] [7][8][9] | ||||
| Fianna Fáil | Jim Gavin
|
9 September 2025 | (campaign) | Fianna Fáil (67 Oireachtas members) | |||||
| Fine Gael | Heather Humphreys
|
19 August 2025 | (campaign) heatherforpresident |
Fine Gael (55 Oireachtas Members) | [10] | ||||
Individuals seeking nomination
The following individuals have not yet acquired enough declared support for a nomination.
| Party | Individual seeking nomination | Entry Date | Campaign | Supported by | Sources | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Peter Casey
|
2 March 2025 | [11][12] | ||||
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Nick Delehanty
|
26 August 2025 | [13] | ||||
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Kieran McCarthy
|
6 September 2025 | [14] | ||||
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Gareth Sheridan
|
10 August 2025 | sheridanforpresident |
|
[15] | ||
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Maria Steen Conservative activist |
29 August 2025 | mariasteen |
[17][18] | |||
Withdrawn candidates
| Party | Presidential candidate | Entry Date | Exit Date | Notes | Sources | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Joanna Donnelly
|
2 September 2025 | 5 September 2025 | Withdrew due to lack of preparation for campaign | [19][20] | ||
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Michael Flatley
|
25 July 2025 | 5 September 2025 | Withdrew due to health and family reasons | |||
| Fianna Fáil | Billy Kelleher |
28 August 2025 | 9 September 2025 | Failed to secure party nomination | [21][22] | ||
| Fine Gael | Seán Kelly |
19 August 2025 | 1 September 2025 | Withdrew after failing to secure enough party nominations. | [23] | ||
| Independent politician (Ireland) | Conor McGregor |
21 March 2025 | 15 September 2025 | Withdrew without stating reason. | |||
| Fine Gael | Mairead McGuinness
|
15 July 2025 | 14 August 2025 | Withdrew following medical advice. | |||
Opinion polling
| Last date of polling |
Polling firm | Casey | Connolly | Delehanty | Gavin | Humphreys | McDonald | Sheridan | Steen | Other | None of the above/Unsure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 September 2025 | RedC/Business Post[24] | 6% | 17% | 4% | 18% | 22% | 21%[e] | 2% | 5% | 36% | |
| 8 September 2025 | Mary Lou McDonald rules herself out | ||||||||||
- ↑ The next presidential election after 2025 is due to take place in 2032. In the event of a casual vacancy (by death, resignation or removal from office) an election must be held within 60 days of the vacancy.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Catherine Connolly TD, Séamus Healy TD, Brian Stanley TD, Senator Eileen Flynn.
- ↑ Alan Kelly has stated he will not nominate Connolly[4]
- ↑ Mattie McGrath TD, Carol Nolan TD, Senator Joe Conway, Senator Sharon Keogan, Senator Rónán Mullen
- ↑ Polling was conducted from 4-9 September, with McDonald announcing she was not running on 8 September.
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.
- ↑ "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.
- ↑ O'Cearbhaill, Muiris (16 July 2025). "Galway independent TD Catherine Connolly confirms she has 20 nominations to run for the Áras". The Journal. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ↑ Monahan, Tabitha (27 August 2025). "'I will not be supporting Catherine Connolly' – Labour's Alan Kelly slams presidential candidate despite party". Irish Independent. Retrieved 27 August 2025.
- ↑ McQuinn, Cormac (11 July 2025). "Catherine Connolly announces plans to launch presidential election bid next week". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 11 July 2025. Retrieved 11 July 2025.
- ↑ "Sinn Féin's presidential election decision in weeks". 12 July 2025. Archived from the original on 16 July 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
- ↑ "McGuinness to be FG nominee as Connolly to launch Áras bid tomorrow". 15 July 2025. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ↑ McQuinn, Cormac (31 July 2025). "'Catherine will make an excellent president': Labour Party backs Connolly's bid for Áras". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ↑ "Humphreys put under pressure over Fine Gael's record in her first radio interview as candidate".
- ↑ "Humphreys, Kelly to seek FG nomination for presidency". RTÉ News. 19 August 2025. Archived from the original on 19 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ White, Jack (2 March 2025). "'Better prepared' businessman Peter Casey to run for president again after Higgins departure". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 2 March 2025. Retrieved 2 March 2025.
- ↑ "'I won't accept Áras salary,' vows Peter Casey as he formally begins process to enter presidential race". Irish Independent. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
- ↑ Burne, Louise (13 August 2025). "TD wants councillors to have free vote to nominate presidential election candidates". The Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 13 August 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ Roche, Barry (6 September 2025). "Singing ex-lord mayor Kieran McCarthy joins colourful cast seeking presidency nomination". The Irish Times. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ↑ Horan, Niamh (10 August 2025). "Multi-millionaire pharma tycoon Gareth Sheridan (35) launches bid for Irish presidency". The Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 10 August 2025.
- ↑ Coyne, Ellen. "Presidential hopeful Maria Steen's views on social issues could alienate potential allies". The Irish Times.
- ↑ Coyne, Ellen (29 August 2025). "Campaigner and barrister Maria Steen to seek support in run for presidency". The Irish Times.
- ↑ "Maria Steen secures backing of 10 TDs and senators in bid for the Áras". The Journal. 11 September 2025. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ↑ McGee, Harry (2 September 2025). "Former RTÉ meteorologist Joanna Donnelly to seek nomination for presidency". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
- ↑ Leen, Darragh (5 September 2025). "'I was naive': Joanna Donnelly pulls out of presidential election race". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 5 September 2025.
- ↑ McNally, Tadgh (28 August 2025). "Cork MEP Billy Kelleher launches campaign for Fianna Fáil presidential nomination". Irish Examiner.
- ↑ Lehane, Mícheál (9 September 2025). "Jim Gavin wins Fianna Fáil presidential nomination" – via www.rte.ie.
- ↑ "Seán Kelly to seek Fine Gael nomination for presidency". RTÉ News. 19 August 2025. Retrieved 19 August 2025.
- ↑ Cunningham, Paul (13 September 2025). "Poll suggests Heather Humphreys leading presidential race".