This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-15488067
The article has changed 20 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 4 | Version 5 |
---|---|
Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins set to win | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins is set to become the ninth Irish president. | |
Independent candidate and one-time opinion poll-topper Sean Gallagher has conceded defeat to Mr Higgins. | |
Mr Gallagher, a former member and fund-raiser for the Fianna Fail party, has called the veteran politician to congratulate him on his success. | |
It is thought Mr Higgins has received more than 40% of the first preference vote and is almost certain of victory. | |
In a statement Mr Gallagher said: "In the last hour I've called Michael D Higgins to congratulate him on his performance and his success in this election. | |
"He will have my full support as president and I sincerely thank him for a positive campaign. | |
"His slogan stated that he would be a president to be proud of and I believe he will be that president." | |
Turnout is reported to be about 50%, down from around 70% in the general election in February. | |
There are seven candidates in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who has been president since 1997. | There are seven candidates in the race to succeed Mary McAleese, who has been president since 1997. |
The president, who serves as a ceremonial head of state, is elected for a seven-year term and can be re-elected only once. | The president, who serves as a ceremonial head of state, is elected for a seven-year term and can be re-elected only once. |
After a controversial campaign, with the polls swinging one way and then the other, the climax looks like it will be more straightforward than most commentators had predicted. | After a controversial campaign, with the polls swinging one way and then the other, the climax looks like it will be more straightforward than most commentators had predicted. |
Faced with a record seven candidates, the tallies suggest that the electorate has plumped decisively for Labour's Michael D Higgins. | Faced with a record seven candidates, the tallies suggest that the electorate has plumped decisively for Labour's Michael D Higgins. |
A poet and a scholar, the 71-year-old former government minister ran a solid campaign during which he was always among the bookies' favourites. | A poet and a scholar, the 71-year-old former government minister ran a solid campaign during which he was always among the bookies' favourites. |
The result will be announced at Dublin Castle, the venue for the historic state banquet for the Queen in May. | The result will be announced at Dublin Castle, the venue for the historic state banquet for the Queen in May. |
It now looks just a matter of hours before Mr Higgins' coronation. | It now looks just a matter of hours before Mr Higgins' coronation. |
Candidates | Candidates |
The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris. | The seven candidates are Fine Gael's Gay Mitchell, Michael D Higgins of the Labour Party, Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness as well as independents Sean Gallagher, Dana Rosemary Scallon, Mary Davis and David Norris. |
The Irish opposition leader Micheál Martin of Fianna Fail has already sent his congratulations to Mr Higgins. | The Irish opposition leader Micheál Martin of Fianna Fail has already sent his congratulations to Mr Higgins. |
"I have known Michael D Higgins for many years and he will make an excellent president and ambassador for Ireland," he said. | "I have known Michael D Higgins for many years and he will make an excellent president and ambassador for Ireland," he said. |
Fianna Fail chose not to enter a candidate following the party's heavy defeat in the general election. | Fianna Fail chose not to enter a candidate following the party's heavy defeat in the general election. |
Counting began at 09:00 BST on Friday and the winner is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon. | Counting began at 09:00 BST on Friday and the winner is expected to be announced on Saturday afternoon. |
The first national count will be announced once results from all 43 constituencies are in, which is expected to be early on Friday evening. | The first national count will be announced once results from all 43 constituencies are in, which is expected to be early on Friday evening. |
The presidential returning officer will have to decide whether to continue into the early hours to get a final result or to adjourn until Saturday morning. | The presidential returning officer will have to decide whether to continue into the early hours to get a final result or to adjourn until Saturday morning. |
The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the candidates coming under pressure over their past careers. | The campaign for the presidency has been beset by controversy with several of the candidates coming under pressure over their past careers. |
The election arrives as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory. | The election arrives as the country continues its bid to recover from the worst recession in living memory. |