FINE GAEL has never won the office of President, but the party has never been better placed to succeed than this year. Rarely has Fine Gael shown more enthusiasm for the challenge, with no fewer than four aspirants bidding to secure the party nomination.
In the past Fine Gael has struggled at times to find a strong candidate for this important office. The sizeable number seeking the nomination reflects both Fine Gael’s new-found self-confidence after its general election success and its dominant position in domestic politics. On Saturday, an electoral college – in which Fine Gael Oireachtas members and MEPs command more than two-thirds of the votes – will choose a candidate.
Fine Gael is currently the favourite to win the presidential election. But polling day is still three months away, the official political campaign has not begun, and the public has not yet become engaged by the contest. Between now and October, much can happen to change the election odds. Nevertheless, this contest is one that Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny cannot afford to lose. And that should help concentrate the minds of those attending the selection convention.
Certainly, the presidential election has generated unprecedented interest within the Fine Gael party and indeed from outside – with Pat Cox joining the party in his bid to become the party’s nominee. With so many candidates to choose from, and with some Ministers publicly indicating their personal preferences, the members of the electoral college will find their personal loyalties severely tested.
That said, votes at the convention should not be cast for candidates on the basis merely of personal loyalties, political support, or as a reward for past party services. The presidential election is a far more important matter, one in which national interest transcends any narrow party interest. At this difficult and challenging time in our history, the Republic needs a president who will lead and inspire its citizens as they attempt to find the best way forward in a society embracing new ways of ensuring accountability, transparency and equality.
Two considerations need to be taken into account at the convention: firstly, which candidate is best placed to win the election, and secondly, who is most likely to discharge well the duties of that high office, and so match the impressive standards set by recent presidents, and not least the outgoing office holder, President McAleese? Clearly, not all candidates are likely to possess both attributes.
The Constitution prescribes the duties and obligations of the president, who enjoys few independent functions and can act only on the advice of the government. How candidates propose to operate within the constraints set by a rigid Constitution, while at the same time expanding the role in a non-political manner, will be of particular interest to those at this weekend’s convention. The electorate will choose a president in October after a campaign in which, rightly, the suitability of the candidates should be explored and tested during several weeks of vigorous media and public scrutiny.