Party Rules

How Fine Gael Elects A Leader

IF ENDA Kenny loses today’s vote of confidence in his leadership, nominations for a new leader of the party will remain open for a week.

Party rules state that nominations must close within seven days of a vacancy arising and that any candidates must be members of the Dáil.

Chairman of the parliamentary party Pádraic McCormack will serve as acting leader until a new one has been elected.

To stand for election a TD will have to be nominated by a minimum of 10 per cent of the parliamentary party which means that the support of at least seven of the 70 strong body, composed of 51 TDs, 15 Senators and four MEPs will be required for a nomination.

The party’s executive council will appoint a national returning officer for the contest which involves an electoral college system.

The electorate will include the parliamentary party, the ordinary members and the local public representatives.

The executive council will put in place procedures and arrangements for the vote, including polling centres for ordinary members with agreed opening times.

Candidates will be asked to attend a series of regional meetings to address members and the actual polling day must be held no more than 20 days after the vacancy arises.

The weightings in the electoral college will be 65 per cent for the parliamentary party who will vote at the same time at a special meeting.

Ordinary members who must have joined the party at least two years ago will have 25 per cent of the votes.

Local public representatives will have the remaining 10 per cent and they will all vote at an agreed venue at the same time.

This mechanism established by an ardfheis of the party following the election of Mr Kenny as leader has not been used before. Previously the election of a party leader was the preserve of the parliamentary party.