A politician, characterized by the "silent mastery and harsh appearance of the nun of the contemplative order", as the British paper The Guardian put it, had the support of all leftist and socialist groups in the parliament. Her only competitor Heather Humphreys from the centre-right, co-ordinating Fine Gael organization (Irish family), she received only 29.46 percent support. The state's highest office was besides sought by a popular erstwhile football coach, exhibited by the centre organization Fianna Fail, Jim Gavin. It was chosen by the Prime Minister of Ireland himself Micheál Martin. In early October, Gavin withdrew from the election after it turned out that he had not repaid a debt of EUR 3300 since 2009. However, his name remained on the ballot. This "spectre candidate" gained over 7 percent of the vote.
