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The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
Plan to bring Presidential election date forward over ‘politicised' Budget fears as major candidate enters Aras race
MAIREAD McGuinness has joined Catherine Connolly in the race for the Aras with the ex-European Commission predicting that the election campaign will be "full-on." It comes as Government figures fear that the 3 Mairead McGuinness has joined Catherine Connolly in the race for the Aras Credit: REUTERS/Johanna Geron/Pool 3 Connolly last week officially threw her hat in the ring to run in the election Credit: PA/Brian Lawless 3 An election to replace Michael D Higgins must be held 60 days before his term concludes Credit: Getty Images - Getty An election to replace The idea of a September polling day was floated in order to avoid Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe and Public Expenditure Minister Jack Chambers have repeatedly warned that there will be READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS However, there was push back on the idea of a September election with the expectation that the polling day will be at the end of October. Taoiseach Up until today, Independent TD Catherine Connolly was the only real contender for the Presidency who had gotten enough support to get on the ballot paper. However, Most read in Irish News This means that the former MEP will run for Fine Gael in the Presidential election once her nomination is officially ratified by the party. In a letter sent to Fine Gael members today, Mairead McGuinness said she expects the election campaign to be 'full on.' Irish President Michael D Higgins votes in local and European She said: 'I am conscious of the opportunity and challenge ahead, given the very important constitutional role of the President, and the esteem in which the office is held by the people. 'Subject to my candidacy being ratified by the Party in early September, I very much look forward to setting out my vision for the Presidency. 'And I look forward to working with you all over the coming weeks and months. 'The campaign when it starts will be full-on.' 'IMPORTANT POINT FOR THE COUNTRY' Tanaiste Simon Harris today praised McGuinness as a strong candidate for the office of the Presidency. He said: 'Presidential elections are always an important point for the country. I believe Mairead possesses all the attributes to bring our nation together at this important time.' It remains to be seen whether Fianna Fail and
Business Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Storm clouds gather as European leaders meet
EUROPEAN Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had planned for her second term of office, which began last December, to focus squarely on the competitiveness agenda to boost the EU economy. However, geopolitical challenges are fast crowding out her freedom of action. This stark fact will be shown, yet again, this week (Jun 26-27) at the latest European Council meeting of 27 presidents and prime ministers from across the bloc. Economic competitiveness is last but one (item six of seven) on the agenda following adoption of the agenda; Ukraine; Middle East; European defence and security; and the EU in the world. As European Council President Antonio Costa has highlighted, the goal of building a more competitive Europe has not become less important for von der Leyen. This economic agenda remains key to her political legacy and she would still like to deliver on much more of the agenda highlighted in last September's major competitiveness report released by former Italian prime minister and ex-European Central Bank chief Mario Draghi. In his welcome letter to Europe's presidents and prime ministers ahead of this week's summit, Costa highlighted that 'the interplay between a challenging international context and our internal economic priorities, such as deepening the Single Market, is more important than ever. That is why I want us to discuss the geoeconomic challenges we are facing' at the meeting on Thursday and Friday. Of course, it is not the case that the EU expected 2025 to be trouble-free. Especially following the election of US President Donald Trump for a second term last November, there was open acknowledgement in Europe of potential diplomatic fireworks to come. Nevertheless, the scale of problems arising has taken many by surprise. The latest case in point is the challenges in the Middle East, following the US bombing of Iran last weekend. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up Lack of political influence The EU is frustrated by the lack of political influence it has over events in Iran, as also in Gaza too, with Israel and the United States acting largely unilaterally. This is a significant shift from the era of a generation ago when Europe had much broader influence in shaping events, including through Israeli-Palestinian peace processes such as the Oslo accords. Today, however, the EU's preferred goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace based on the two-state solution is now very much in the political long grass. Yet, while Europe has comparatively little political influence in the Middle East today, the economic impact of the elevated tensions there could significantly slow the EU's economy in coming months. This is particularly the case in respect to oil prices which, despite the Iran-Israel ceasefire announced by Trump on Monday, have risen since Israel's latest wave of bombing began in Iran. Beyond the Middle East, the EU summit this week will also focus on the region's defence buildup which is fuelling the market capitalisation of the region's security-focused firms. The meeting will discuss building Europe's common defence readiness by 2030 with huge new security-related investments. Ukraine is also on the agenda with European leaders increasingly concerned that the war with Russia will last for at least months more to come, potentially into 2026. Given the still-uncertain stance of Trump towards Kyiv, the EU is keen to help ensure that Ukraine is in a financial and military position to be able to continue to fight a protracted conflict as the nation continues on its path towards EU membership. Amid this gathering storm of geopolitical factors, the EU is increasingly concerned that von der Leyen's second term could get blown off-course. Von der Leyen's long-held belief is that it is critical for the more than 400 million population bloc to be ambitious, and further seize the initiative in coming years. The alternative, in her view, is more drift that has characterised EU affairs for so long, a danger that may be growing. For while opportunities still exist on the horizon, there are growing risks too from not only international but also domestic challenges. On the domestic front, there remains a significant rise of anti-EU, nationalist sentiment across the continent which has seen populist arguments coming to the fore as well as the perceived erosion of the fundamental values of liberal democracy. Only earlier this month, the presidential election in Poland was won by a populist nationalist, Karol Nawrocki, who is intent on frustrating the reformist policy agenda of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Yet, it is the international front that is the most prominent challenge for the EU, right now. Not only is there an increasingly assertive Russia, there is also massive uncertainty from the United States from Trump, not least with the 90-day pause period of his tariffs scheduled to expire in July with only one nation (the United Kingdom) having reached a tariff deal with the White House. Skilful leadership Amid all the gloom, the one potential upside of this crisis-driven environment is that, with very skilful leadership by top EU officials including von der Leyen, she finds a way to continue to deliver her reform agenda. There is significant historical precedent for this. A good example is the Commissions of former president Jacques Delors whom von der Leyen is sometimes compared to in terms of the significant historical consequence of her presidency. Coming to office during a troubled period for the bloc in 1985, the presidency of Delors is seen by many as giving what is the modern EU a clear sense of direction, including as the founding father of the euro single currency. In his first term, he rallied the bloc to the call of the Single Market, and when appointed to a second term, he urged Europeans towards the ambitious goals of Economic and Monetary Union. It remains to be seen if history will see von der Leyen's presidency as being as historically important as that of Delors, but she nonetheless still has a remaining window of opportunity to deliver a number of big achievements that could enhance the EU's competitiveness. This includes implantation of the new Clean Industrial Deal which aims to enhance the competitiveness of EU industries while addressing climate change by focusing on energy-intensive sectors and clean technologies which are crucial for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable growth. In this challenging context, the second term of the von der Leyen Commission faces gathering storm clouds that may yet grow worse in 2025. So the window of opportunity could be narrowing significantly to help define the EU's longer-term political and economic trajectory and forge a stronger, sustainable path for the continent. The writer is an associate at LSE IDEAS at the London School of Economics
Daily Mirror
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Scottie Scheffler can't hold back as US Open star damages course at Oakmont
Scottie Scheffler has been in sensational form in recent weeks, though he struggled to find his rhythm in the opening round of the US Open, with the world No. 1 letting his frustrations get the better of him Scottie Scheffler was unable to hold back his irritation at the US Open on Thursday. In the run-up to the third major of the year, players had been cautioned about the harsh conditions at Oakmont Country Club. Tiger Woods has even given out specific advice on how to triumph over the weekend, with Colin Montgomerie, ex-European Ryder Cup captain, chiding top players who lamented the course's tough setup, urging them to "man up" and take on the challenge. Scheffler, the current world No. 1, found himself amongst those competing to survive during the first round, and despite a remarkable recent form that saw him clinch three out of his last four starts, he seemed to have met his match against the stern test in Pennsylvania. During the opening round, on the 14th hole, Scheffler was placed 38th at two-over as he strived to find his stride on what was proving to be a difficult day. Following a strong tee shot, his subsequent attempt landed on the green but sadly not in the spot he had hoped for. Although it initially seemed the ball might be close enough for a putt, it rolled away, resulting in a more challenging stroke. Realising luck wasn't on his side, Scheffler showed his exasperation by aggressively embedding his club into the turf, leaving behind a divot, reports the Mirror US. Scheffler's frustration was palpable as he tapped the hole a few more times and trudged over to the green. After the first round, Scheffler was three-over-par, in company with Tyrrell Hatton and Bryson DeChambeau, among others. The American's struggles at Oakmont bring to mind Woods' cautionary words about the course. Although not competing this year due to an Achilles injury, the 49-year-old offered insight into what players could expect in a video on Sun Day Red before the tournament. "There is no faking about Oakmont," admitted Woods. "The golf course is big, yes, but it's just - there is no way around it. You just have to hit the golf ball well. "It favors longer hitters, just because of the degrees, the complexes. It just helps so much to be coming with shorter iron, to be able to sock the ball. It's about missing the ball on correct spots... because if you don't, it's horrible!" Despite complaints from some top players about Oakmont's tough conditions, Montgomerie insists it's time for them to prove their worth. The forthright 61-year-old shared his views with reporters at Trump International Golf Links in Scotland. "[Look at] technology now from 30 years ago. The golf ball that we were playing with 30 years ago moved around all over the place. It was soft, it went 20 yards shorter," he exclaimed. "Now, the golf club development, the drivers, the irons, the putters, look at the putters now, the development in the putters. So, get on with it. For Christ's sake, you've got technology there that is beyond what you would ever, ever dream of. "Use it and play golf. I mean, at this level, you shouldn't be missing any fairways, unless it's blowing a gale. The research and development that's been poured into the game, man up. Yeah, get on with it."
