Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04DUBLIN1477
2004-10-05 07:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dublin
Cable title:  

IRISH PRESIDENT MCALEESE DECLARED ELECTED FOR 2ND

Tags:  PINR PREL SENV 
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UNCLAS DUBLIN 001477 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PREL SENV
SUBJECT: IRISH PRESIDENT MCALEESE DECLARED ELECTED FOR 2ND
TERM


UNCLAS DUBLIN 001477

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PINR PREL SENV
SUBJECT: IRISH PRESIDENT MCALEESE DECLARED ELECTED FOR 2ND
TERM



1. (SBU) Summary. On Friday, October 1, incumbent Irish
President Mary McAleese was constitutionally elected to
office unopposed for a second term of seven years. Her
inauguration is scheduled to take place on November 11, 2004.
President McAleese told Ambassador Kenny that her primary
motivation in running for a second seven-year term is to
support the Northern Ireland peace process. End Summary.

--------------
BUILDING ON THE FIRST TERM
--------------


2. (U) At the Custom House in Dublin on October 1, the Chief
Returning Officer, Mr. Maurice Coughlan, announced Mary
McAleese's mandated re-election as President of Ireland. As
no other candidate received the required twenty senatorial
signatures or endorsement of four counties, President
McAleese was constitutionally mandated to receive a second
term, without voters going to the polls. (The Irish
Constitution has specific presidential election rules,
declaring that if only one presidential nominee exists by the
nomination deadline, then that person is automatically
elected president.) McAleese is so popular that political
parties deemed it a waste of resources to try to oppose her.
The Green party and Labour party asked would-be candidates
from among their ranks to stand down. Independent Dana
Rosemary Scallon fought longer for support, but failed to get
the necessary signatures to run. She has gained some
sympathy questioning whether Ireland's rules are
"democratic," since they make it easier for an incumbent to
run than a challenger, and provide for a mandated election
instead of a ballot in the case of a one-candidate race. In
the end, though, given McAleese's popularity and the limited
power of the presidency, the issue never gained real
traction. McAleese will be inaugurated on November 11, 2004,
at Dublin Castle.


3. (U) The theme of President McAleese's first term was
"Building Bridges" and it is expected that her second term
will revolve around similar issues. She is best known for
supporting issues of justice, equality, social inclusion,
anti-sectarianism, and reconciliation. During her first
term, McAleese attempted to "build bridges" through increased
cooperation between Northern Ireland and the Republic of
Ireland. She is very devoted to continuing the Irish peace
process, creating quality social programs for the disabled,
and enhancing cross-border cooperation within the European
Union.

---
BIO
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4. (U) McAleese was elected as the 8th President of Ireland
in 1997. Born in Belfast, she is the first president from
Northern Ireland. In 1994, after serving as the Director of
the Institute of Professional Legal Studies at Queen's
University of Belfast for seven years, McAleese became the
first female Pro-Vice Chancellor at the university. McAleese
also served as a Barrister and a Professor of Law at Trinity
College. She has extensive experience as a current affairs
journalist in radio and television. President McAleese is
married to Martin McAleese, a well-known accountant and
dentist who also hails from Northern Ireland. They have
three children.
KENNY