President of Ireland: the symbolic head of the Green Island

The President of Ireland is now largely consideredthe full power is concentrated in the hands of the prime minister responsible to the parliament. As a rule, well-deserved and respected personalities are elected for the post of head of state, who have departed from the real political struggle. Today, this role is performed by Michael Higgins, a prominent politician, sociologist, poet, writer, popular TV presenter.

Professor

The current head of Ireland was born in 1941year in the family of Lieutenant of the Liberation Army of the country. Michael's father - John Higgins - along with his brothers took a very active part in the struggle for independence of Ireland from English rule. Being brought up in such an environment, Michael Higgins largely formed as a person and future politician already in those early years.

After leaving school, the young Irishman continuededucation at the Irish National University, where he diligently studied the basics of political science and sociology. Here he first felt a taste for power and control of the masses.

In 1963, he became a vice-auditor, and a year later he was elected auditor of the student discussion club. At the same time, Michael Higgins became president of the Students' Union at the University of Galway.

After receiving a bachelor's degree, an active youthstopped, and continued his studies at the Indian University in Bloomington, where he became a master of sociology. Academic career of the future president of Ireland began in his home university, where he headed the chair of sociology and political science. He also worked abroad, being invited to teach at the University of Southern Illinois.

Political career

Another student Michael Higgins joined the partyFianna Feil, later his political predilections shifted to the left, and he became a member of the Labor Party. In 1969 and 1973, he participated in parliamentary elections in the country, but both times failed.

In 1973, Liam Cosgrave appoints Michaelsenator from the Irish National University in Galway. In 1981, Higgins still managed to win the hearts of voters and make his way into the lower chamber of the Irish parliament. But he managed to hold out only a year. In 1982, he lost his mandate.

After a misfire, the politician decided to focus on local affairs and became Mayor of Galway in 1982. By the way, this is not the last appointment to this position. In 10 years history will repeat itself.

In 1987, persistent and persistent Higgins was again elected to the lower chamber of the Irish Parliament, having managed to gain a foothold here until 2011.

The Minister

Particular importance in Ireland is given to developmentGaelic - the language of the indigenous population of the country. For these purposes, a special Ministry for the Affairs of the Gaelic Language was established for a long time, which in 1993 was headed by Michael Higgins. Soon the ministry was liquidated, however, the sociology professor did not remain without work, becoming head of the unified ministry of culture, arts and the Gaelic language, having served in this post until 1997.

The active Irishman conscientiously took upstrengthening the prestige of the native language. He became the organizer of the first television channel, broadcasting exclusively in Gaelic, was the initiator of the creation of the Irish Council for Cinematography. Also, as Minister, Michael Higgins remembered his demand to ban the famous item on the abolition of censorship, which looked archaic in modern society.

In 2004, the politician for the first time expressed a desire to speak in the election of the President of Ireland, however, his native party did not support the too-frisky minister, believing that his time had not yet come.

A convincing victory

In 2011, the presidential elections were held in Ireland. A professor of sociology from Galway, who still managed to persuade the Labor Party to nominate him, took part in them.

Michael won a convincing victory, gaining 58 percent of the vote and setting a record.

The newly elected President of Ireland has alreadysurprise many with their vivid and unexpected statements. In particular, he said that he does not want to sit in the chair of the head of state for more than one term, and also announced that he will become an independent president, not a puppet in the hands of the parliament.

After the inauguration of the politician went to the residence of the President of Ireland Aras Uhtaran, who is in Dublin, where he continues to stay until now.

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