Overview
- Voters are choosing between Fine Gael deputy leader Heather Humphreys and left-backed Catherine Connolly.
- Recent polling places Connolly ahead, with endorsements from Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and Sinn Féin.
- Humphreys faces scrutiny for not speaking Irish and has pledged to learn the language if elected, while Connolly is fluent.
- Michael D. Higgins’ 14-year presidency ends in November after a tenure that stretched the office’s boundaries and earned broad affection.
- Party anger over Jim Gavin’s collapsed bid has focused on leader Micheál Martin, and tight nomination rules left Fianna Fáil unable to replace him.