Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has officially ruled himself out of the 2025 Irish presidential election, ending months of speculation about his potential candidacy for Áras an Uachtaráin. Ahern, a prominent Fianna Fáil figure and key architect of the Good Friday Agreement, confirmed his decision at an event in Drumcondra last weekend, stating he would not seek the party’s nomination or run as an Independent.
Ahern, who served as Taoiseach from 1997 to 2008, expressed disappointment over the lack of clear support from Fianna Fáil’s leadership, particularly Taoiseach Micheál Martin. Despite engaging with party officials since December 2024 to gauge backing, Ahern said he “never got the answer” on whether the leadership would support his bid. “I respect the Fianna Fáil party, its membership, and its elected and unelected people far too much,” Ahern told supporters, indicating he would not challenge the party’s direction by running independently.
The former Taoiseach had only one public backer, Senator Niall Blaney, while other potential candidates, former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin and Ireland South MEP Billy Kelleher, have garnered significantly more support within Fianna Fáil. Gavin, in particular, has emerged as a frontrunner with 31 endorsements from TDs, senators, and MEPs, compared to Kelleher’s five.
With Ahern out, Fianna Fáil’s focus shifts to selecting its candidate at a parliamentary party meeting next week, with the presidential election expected on October 23, 2025. The party aims to present a unifying figure to succeed President Michael D. Higgins, whose term ends this year.[](https://www.independent.ie/podcasts/the-indo-daily/the-indo-daily-race-for-aras-could-former-dubs-boss-jim-gavin-solve-micheal-martins-bertie-headache/a1066616030.html)
Ahern, while stepping back, left the door slightly ajar, noting, “If you never rule yourself out, you’re still in.” However, for now, the former Taoiseach’s presidential ambitions have been shelved.
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