Higgins wins Irish presidency

A leftwing poet and human rights campaigner Michael D. Higgins became Ireland’s new president in October 2011. Mr Higgins, Labour party president, who at 70 was the oldest candidate in the field, polled 39.6% of the first preference votes. He was elected on the fourth count.

Deutsche Welle, 29.10.11: Poet, politician and activist elected as Ireland's next president http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,,15497878,00.html

France24, 29.10.11: Higgins elected president after stunning comeback http://www.france24.com/en/20111029-higgins-wins-irish-presidency-after-stunning-comeback-former-minister-labour-poet

European Commission: Memo/11/776: Message of congratulations from President Barroso to Mr Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/11/776&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en

Irish Times, 31.10.11: A people’s president in a time of crisis (via PressEurop) http://www.presseurop.eu/en/content/news-brief-cover/1120651-people-s-president-time-crisis

IFES: Election Guide: Ireland: Presidential Election, October 2011 http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=1678

Robert Schuman Foundation: European Elections Monitor: Ireland: Presidential Election, October 2011 http://www.robert-schuman.eu/oee.php?num=729

Irish Times, 31.10.11: Galway revels in its 'Obama moment' as citizens salute Michael D http://www.irishtimes.com/news/galway-revels-in-its-obama-moment-as-citizens-salute-michael-d-1.634842?mode=sample&auth-failed=1&pw-origin=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.irishtimes.com%2Fnews%2Fgalway-revels-in-its-obama-moment-as-citizens-salute-michael-d-1.634842

BBC News, 29.10.11: Irish presidential election: Michael D Higgins elected http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-15488067

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