The Irish Independent's View: Democracy demands political parties ensure presidential choices

Irish Independent

3 days ago

Iowa became the first by accident. The Democrats liberalised the candidate selection procedures following the 1968 election. Iowa just happened to become the first state to schedule its contest.
Candidates and the media flocked to Iowa for the 1972 caucus, spending plenty of money, so the state kept its first-in-the-nation status.
There is no similar moment in our own presidential election. Names tend to float about in the years running up to a presidential election. Some rule themselves out, others are happy to be talked about. Come the summer of a presidential election year, the field starts to take shape. The runners and riders become clear in the autumn ahead of a November polling date.
The first of the big caucuses kicks off today when Fine Gael's candidate nomination process opens. Prospective candidates have until next Tuesday to be nominated by securing the signature of 20 TDs, senators and MEPs in the parliamentary party, 25 party councillors and five members of the party's ruling body.
At the moment, former European commissioner Mairead McGuinness is the frontrunner to become the Fine Gael candidate, but she has yet to break cover and officially declare her interest. Ireland South MEP Seán Kelly, a former GAA president, is also showing an interest but hasn't confirmed one way or another.
All will become clear in the next eight days. If there is a contest, the party will spend the rest of the summer playing out that process.
So far, Fine Gael is the only party to confirm it will be contesting the presidency – an office it has never held. The list of significant figures to rule themselves out of contention includes Heather Humphreys, Frances Fitzgerald, Barry Andrews, Michael McDowell and Frances Black. Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have yet to signal their intentions, but are expected to run their own candidates.
The Labour Party, the Social Democrats and the Green Party have talked about putting up a unified left-wing candidate, but have thus far failed to identify anyone who fits the bill. Independent TD Catherine Connolly has yet to declare her intentions. The new Independent senator Aubrey McCarthy says he is available to run if a political party wants him.
The bruising nature of previous presidential elections has unquestionably put off seasoned politicians from entering the fray. Political novices have found, to their cost, the presidential election is not the ideal contest for dipping their toe into waters of elected office.
Nonetheless, there is an obligation on the parties, big and small, to ensure the electorate are presented with choices in this election. It is unusual to have parties say they are not going to engage in politics. The lack of enthusiasm for this election is not acceptable. There is a responsibility on their part to put forward candidates and participate in the democratic process.