Ireland’s Sham Democracy: FF and FG’s Iron Grip on the Presidential Ballot – A Century of Civil War Control Masquerading as Choice
Ireland’s Sham Democracy: FF and FG’s Iron Grip on the Presidential Ballot – A Century of Civil War Control Masquerading as Choice
Ireland isn’t a democracy—it’s a sham, a tightly scripted charade where the political elite, led by Fianna Fáil (FF) and Fine Gael (FG), dictate every move, stripping citizens of real choice while pretending we’re free to vote. The upcoming 2025 presidential election is exhibit A: with nominations rigged to favour party insiders, we’re left with a paltry three candidates—Heather Humphreys (FG), Jim Gavin (FF), and Catherine Connolly (Independent)—while capable independents like the formidable barrister Maria Steen, whose intellect and conservative stance terrify the establishment, and others like Nick Delehanty are locked out. You can vote for whomever you like, but only from the names they deign to put before you—echoing Henry Ford’s infamous quip: “You can have any colour car you like, as long as it’s black.” This isn’t freedom; it’s control, rooted in the same civil war politics that have divided and dominated Ireland for generations. FF and FG aren’t rivals—they’re co-conspirators in a power grab that keeps outsiders at bay, ensuring the presidency remains a rubber-stamp for their agenda.
The historical record is a damning indictment of this anti-democratic farce. Since 1938, half of all presidential elections—7 out of 14—have been uncontested, with just one candidate foisted upon the public through party backroom deals. In 1938, Douglas Hyde was the sole option via FF-FG consensus; 1952, Seán T. O’Kelly unopposed; 1974, Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh alone; 1976 and 1983, Patrick Hillery twice without challenge; 2004, Mary McAleese unchallenged. Even contested races are stacked: 1945’s three candidates (FF, FG, Labour/Clann na Talmhan); 1959 and 1966’s FF vs. FG duels; 1973, another FF-FG showdown. Only post-1990 do we see glimmers of variety—1990 with three (Labour, FF, FG); 1997 with five (mostly party, two independents); 2011 with seven (Labour, Sinn Féin, FG, four independents); 2018 with six (Sinn Féin, five independents)—but these are exceptions, not the rule. The nomination threshold—20 Oireachtas members or four councils—is a deliberate barrier, weaponised by FF and FG to exclude threats. They’re not protecting democracy; they’re suffocating it, perpetuating civil war-era feuds where the people are mere spectators.
And 2025? It’s business as usual, but brazenly so. FG explicitly ordered its 246 councillors not to nominate independents, a dictatorial edict straight from the top. FF, while publicly saying FF allows councillors “to vote in favour of anyone they felt suitable”, however the actions since that statement have said otherwise, yet not publicly admitting it, has seen its councillors push abstention motions in key areas, suggesting a coordinated blockade. The fallout: councils like Cavan, Fingal, Longford, Mayo, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Laois, and Roscommon have flat-out refused nominations. Cork City Council rejected after pitches from seven hopefuls, including local councillor Kieran McCarthy. Galway City heard five but nominated none. Westmeath is dragging its feet, with pitches upcoming but likely more stonewalling. Dublin City Council (DCC) slammed the door on Maria Steen, who pitched as a “unifying” force. Only Kerry defied, nominating independent Gareth Sheridan despite FF-FG pushback. This isn’t oversight—it’s orchestrated suppression, FF and FG colluding to keep the presidency in safe, compliant hands.
The government’s fear is palpable: they dread anyone disrupting their narrative, especially as the Dáil reconvenes this week with an agenda that screams control over citizens. Hate speech laws, under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 (stemming from the 2022 Bill), were passed in October 2024 with amendments to protect freedom of expression, but ongoing discussions and potential further tweaks in September 2025 suggest they’re still being refined to muzzle dissent—though not explicitly the “first item” on the agenda. Digital IDs, via the MyGovID eGovernment strategy advancing in 2025 as part of broader EU alignment for digital transformation, loom as tools for surveillance, with no specific September bill but integrated into the National Digital Strategy 2025 priorities for interoperability and citizen access. The triple lock on military neutrality was reformed in March 2025 through the Defence (Amendment) Bill, securing government approval to raise the troop deployment cap from 12 to 50 without needing a Dáil resolution, and requiring a UN mandate only for missions over 50 personnel—debated in the Dáil on March 26 without a public plebiscite, effectively ditching key safeguards on neutrality despite opposition calls for one. These aren’t policies for the people—they’re edicts from EU masters, ignoring the Constitution’s mandate to protect Irish citizens. Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has overseen NGO funding that continues to grow (up ~7% year-on-year as of recent figures), but while NGOs often align with government priorities to secure grants, no direct admission from him of conditional funding based on policy toeing exists—though broader practices suggest reliance on such alignment for sustainability. But that’s another exposé for later. This elite cabal doesn’t serve us; they rule us, terrified of voices like Steen’s challenging their grip.
Solutions? We can’t rely on this lot to reform themselves—they’re hell-bent on control, treating us like sheep penned in while they shear our freedoms. One bold idea: rally the non-party candidates for a public “first round” vote, independent of the establishment. Let the people decide via online petitions or a pre-ballot primary: the winner or top two advance to contest alongside party nominees. Fair, democratic, empowering—but FF and FG will never allow it, because it shatters their monopoly. They’d rather we stay docile, not daring to leap the fence. How dare we demand real choice? It’s time to expose this oligarchy for what it is and fight for a true republic. Stay tuned: our next pieces will dissect hate speech’s assault on free expression and digital IDs’ Orwellian threat. Meanwhile, read our take on the triple lock betrayal Read It Here. Ireland deserves better—demand it now.
Sources
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0906/1532140-fine-gael-presidential
https://www.instagram.com/p/DOoDiitAqXR
https://www.rte.ie/news/2025/0915/1533559-kerry-presidential-candidate
https://www.echolive.ie/corknews/arid-41706203.html
https://www.thejournal.ie/presidential-race-ireland-6818015-Sep2025
Follow us on X