Conservative campaigner Maria Steen has confirmed she will not appear on the ballot for next month’s presidential election, after falling just two nominations short of the required 20 from members of the Oireachtas.
The race, scheduled for October 24th, will now feature just three candidates:
- Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael)
- Jim Gavin (Fianna Fáil)
- Catherine Connolly, running as an Independent with the backing of Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and the Green Party.
A Narrow Miss
Ms Steen had secured 18 signatures by the midday deadline, despite a late push from her campaign. Independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy confirmed his support on Wednesday morning, but further attempts to reach the threshold were unsuccessful.Supporters had hoped Independent Senators, including Michael McDowell, might provide the final nominations. Their refusal drew criticism from Steen’s backers, with Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín accusing Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and “so-called Independents” of “pulling up the ladder” to block her entry.
Steen: “Voters Denied Real Choice”
Speaking outside Leinster House, Ms Steen thanked the 18 parliamentarians who nominated her:She said her campaign had revealed a strong appetite for an alternative candidate:
Calls for Reform
Independent Ireland, which supported Steen’s bid, described the process as “an affront to democracy” and has begun drafting legislation to make access to the ballot more open. Party leader Michael Collins said the current system gives “far too much power to too few people.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin, speaking in New York at the UN General Assembly, dismissed those claims.