COMMEMT: Chinedu OnyejelemOn Friday 11 November, Michael D Higgins was inaugurated as the ninth President of Ireland since the foundation of the State in 1922.
He took over from Mary McAleese, who served as president for 14 years. First elected in 1997, she was returned without election in 2004.
During her two terms in office, she worked under a theme she called ‘building bridges’ in an effort to move the country to greater heights.
Unlike President McAleese at the time of her election, the Limerick-born President Higgins is already a statesman. At the age of 70, the academic-turned-politician was enjoying his retirement before the opportunity arose.
His campaign slogan – ‘The president who will do us proud’ – had a lot of resonance with the public, and when polling day arrived they came out in droves to support him.
Although the president’s role is a ceremonial one, much will still be expected of President Michael D, as he will be fondly called, throughout his seven-year term in office. Considering his long record of achievements in many areas, locally and internationally, expectations for his success in the role are running high.
President Higgins believes that in the absence of legislative powers, his lifelong strong commitment to equality and diversity will be boosted and that he will champion the cause of the marginalised in our society.
“The President can use their words and actions to send powerful messages about the kind of Ireland we want to live in,” he told Metro Éireann during the presidential campaign. Now he’s holding the office, we look forward to him putting his words into action.
