#IRELAND: Incumbent Pres. Higgins Wins Re-Election Handily; "Trump-like" Casey Comes In Strong Second Place

[world politics news]

 Pres Michael D. Higgins has said that in re-electing him for a second seven-year term voters have chosen hope over “any exploitation of division or fear” and promised to be a president for “all the people." The less-than-subtle reference was to his major opponent in the race, Peter Casey, who came in a strong second place even after controversial comments allegedly disparaging the Traveler minority and calling Ireland a "welfare state" where too many people were dependent on government. Casey, who lived in the USA for more than 20 years, was compared to Pres. Trump in style and rhetoric during the campaign. He denied the comparison. Nonetheless, he beat critics' expectations with his strong 23% finish, to Higgins' 44% draw. Three others polled below 7% each.

Higgins will now have to deal with the real Donald Trump and Brexit in the United Kingdom, which threatens to erect border crossings between Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is administered by the UK.

Also winning in this weekend's ballot was a measure overturning the nation's ancient blasphemy laws, which prosecuted people who offended religion. Sixty-five percent of voters were in favor of removing the offense from the Constitution, with 35 percent against.

PHOTO: Pres. Michael D. Higgins, with wife, Sabina, celebrating his victory.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Peter Casey - The Irish "Donald Trump" - Re-Joins Presidential Race; Calls Ireland A "Welfare State"

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Citing a "swell of support" from voters over the weekend, Peter Casey has re-joined the presidential race. He is now planning strategy with his team ahead of Friday's election. He had taken the week off after controversy erupted over his comments about the Traveler Community, which he had claimed were not a true "minority," but simply gypsy-like people who refused to work. He's backed away from those comments, but new ones, in which he called Ireland a "welfare state" in an open letter in a newspaper, were denounced by Social Protection Minister Regina Doherty. She accused the former television personality of "breathtaking ignorance."

Casey, 57, who has lived in the US (for 23 years) Australia (for 13 years) the UK and Ireland, was a "dragon" on the TV show "Dragon's Den," similar in format to the US show, "Shark Tank." The millionaire businessman is being compared to Donald Trump, because of his "politically incorrect" rhetoric and off-the-cuff speaking style, but he is on record saying he does not support Trump's policies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Presidential Candidate Peter Casey Suspends Campaign Amid "Racist" Comments About Irish Traveler Community

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Irish presidential candidate Peter Casey has suspended his campaign and will likely decide on Monday whether to drop out of the race before next Friday's election after alleged racist comments. Casey, who has been accused of using "Trump-like" tactics and rhetoric as a candidate, has been attacked for his comments on a podcast about the Irish Traveller community in Ireland, considered by most to be an ethnic minority, comparable to Gypsies on the European continent, but of Irish extraction. Casey claimed that Travellers should not be recognized as an ethnic minority because they are "basically people camping on someone else’s land." The millionaire added that they don't pay their fair share of taxes.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.