LAST UPDATE | 9 Apr

LUKE ‘MING’ FLANAGAN and Heather Humphreys have both not ruled out a presidential bid , with the election coming up later this year.

Speaking to Shannonside FM this morning, Flanagan said that he believes he has a chance of winning the election, with his appeal across a number of different constituencies as a three-time independent MEP for Midlands North West.

Meanwhile, former Fine Gael social protection minister Heather Humphreys told Northern Sound today that she will give a presidential bid “every consideration” and will make a final decision in May.

In order to get on the ballot, a prospective presidential candidate needs the nominations of four local authorities (city or county councils) or 20 members of the Oireachtas (the Dáil and Seanad). 

The presidential election is due to take place in October after the end of outgoing President Michael D Higgins’ second seven-year term. No candidates have officially announced any bids so far.

Speaking to Shannonside this morning, Flanagan said: “In the European elections, I ran in a constituency with 15 counties, I topped the poll.

“I took transfers from everywhere in what would be considered, I suppose, potentially a socially conservative constituency. I would also be able to pick up votes in Dublin and in the Ireland South part of the country,” he added.

The independent politician – who previously served as a TD before taking a seat in Brussels – said he “certainly” thinks he has a chance of winning the election, and will not be ruling out a bid.

Humphreys, speaking to Northern Sound, said: “I said, very clearly, what I was going to do is make a decision in May. I know a number of people have said to me that I should consider it.”

Heather Humphreys said she will make her final decision on a potential bid for the presidency next month. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

Humphreys, who retired from the Dáil at the end of the last term in November 2024, said: “It is a seven-year commitment, so it is a very long time. I will give it every consideration and then make my final decision in May.”

Meanwhile, Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín has said his party intends to run a candidate in the presidential election, which must take place 60 days leading up to and including 11 November this year.

The Meath West TD said his party believes there is a “significant section” of the population who do not feel represented by the “political establishment” and he believes his party can fill that void.

Tóibín also said Áontu would be putting forward a bill that would allow people in Northern Ireland to vote in presidential elections, saying it is “incredible” that people from the North can stand in the elections but not vote in them. 

Peadar Tóibín said his party would be seeking to run a candidate in the election near the end of this year. RollingNews.ie RollingNews.ie

In order to vote in a presidential election, you must be an Irish citizen and ordinarily resident in the Republic of Ireland.

Áontu ran candidates in recent Northern Ireland Assembly and local elections but failed to get any elected. Speaking about his party’s chances, Tóibín said an Aontú candidate running for the Áras would be “good for democracy”. 

“Presidential elections are obviously about the debate that you can have within society too, and we want to shape that debate,” he said. 

Tóibín said it would be difficult for an Aontú candidate to get the nomination for the presidency as the local councils are “pretty much locked by by the three large, established political parties”.

With reporting by Muiris Ó Ceabhaill