The President of Ireland is now largely considered a representative position, all power is concentrated in the hands of the Prime Minister, responsible to Parliament. As a rule, deserved and respected personalities who have departed from the real political struggle are elected to the post of head of state. Today this role is played by Michael Higgins, a famous politician, sociologist, poet, writer, and popular TV presenter.
Professor
The current head of Ireland was born in 1941 in the family of a lieutenant of the country's liberation army. Michael's father - John Higgins - along with his brothers took an active part in the struggle for the independence of Ireland from English domination. Being brought up in such an environment, Michael Higgins in many respects was formed as a personality and future politician already in those distant years.
After graduating from school, the young Irishman continued his education at the Irish National University, where he diligently studied the basics of political science and sociology. Here he first felt a taste for power and control of the masses.
In 1963, he became vice-auditor, and a year later he was elected the auditor of the student discussion club. Then Michael Higgins became president of the Union of Students at the University of Galway.
Having received a bachelor's degree, the active young man did not stop, but continued his studies at Indiana University in Bloomington, where he became a master of sociology. The academic career of the future president of Ireland began in his native university, where he headed the department of sociology and political science. The professor also worked overseas, being invited to teach at the University of Southern Illinois.
Political career
As a student, Michael Higgins joined the Fianna Feil party, later his political addictions shifted to the left, and he became a member of the Labor Party. In 1969 and 1973, he participated in parliamentary elections, but both times failed.
In 1973, Liam Cosgrave appointed Michael a senator from the Irish National University in Galway. In 1981, Higgins was still able to win the hearts of voters and break into the lower house of the Irish Parliament. But he managed to hold out for only a year. In 1982, he lost his mandate.
After a misfire, the politician decided to focus on local affairs and became mayor of Galway in 1982. By the way, this is not the last appointment to this position. In 10 years, history will repeat itself.
In 1987, the stubborn and persistent Higgins was again elected to the lower house of the Irish Parliament, having managed to gain a foothold here until 2011.
The Minister
Of particular importance in Ireland is the development of the Gaelic language, the language of the country's indigenous population. For these purposes, a special Ministry of Gaelic Affairs was created for a long time, which in 1993 was headed by Michael Higgins. Soon the ministry was liquidated, however, the professor of sociology was not left without work, becoming the head of the joint ministry of culture, arts and Gaelic, having served in this post until 1997.
An active Irishman conscientiously took up the prestige of his native language. He became the organizer of the first television channel broadcasting exclusively in Gaelic, and initiated the creation of the Irish Council for Cinematography. Also, as Minister, Michael Higgins was remembered for his demand to ban the famous clause on the abolition of censorship, which looked archaic in modern society.
In 2004, a politician for the first time expressed a desire to speak for the presidential election in Ireland, however, the native party did not support the too frisky minister, believing that his time had not yet come.
Convincing victory
In 2011, the presidential election in Ireland was held. They were attended by a sociology professor from Galway, who nevertheless managed to convince the Labor Party to nominate him.
Michael won a landslide victory, gaining 58 percent of the vote and setting a kind of record.
The newly elected President of Ireland has already managed to surprise many with his bright and unexpected statements. In particular, he said that he did not want to sit in the chair of the head of state for more than one term, and also announced that he would become an independent president, and not a puppet in the hands of parliament.
After the inauguration procedure, the politician went to the residence of the President of Ireland, Aras Ukhtaran, who is in Dublin, where he continues to stay until now.