'Super Thursday' set for local and European polls
Monday September 15 2008
THE date for the local and European elections will be June 11, 2009 with a 'Super Thursday' of polls in prospect, the Irish Independent has learned.
The key to polling day emerged after it was learned that count centres across the country were being booked for the following day, Friday, June 12. A spokesman for Environ-ment Minister John Gormley said he would not deny the choice of June 11, even though the date of the poll has not yet been announced.
The day in question falls into a range of dates indicated by the European Commission to member states for direct elections to the European Parliament.
The date is almost exactly a year after the Lisbon Treaty referendum took place, on June 12, 2008. The relatively early June date for the local and European elections adds to the belief that there will not be another referendum on Lisbon-related questions before autumn of next year.
The date also coincides with the same British elections -- making it a kind of 'Super Thursday', since Northern Ireland voters would also go to the polls.
Such a scenario would handicap Sinn Fein's ability to muster a serious push to defend Mary Lou McDonald's European Parliament seat and to garner their hoped-for serious increase in council seats.
SF activists, traditionally bussed to the South when the Northern political scene is quiet, would be needed to stay North for their own canvass.
Fianna Fail, already anticipating a bounce in their vote after recording a disastrous collapse in 2004, would prefer a short campaign -- and as long as possible to elapse between any possible re-running of Lisbon.
The Dublin South by-election could be held on June 11 as well, in which case Fianna Fail could find it hard to defend Seamus Brennan's old seat unless a member of the Brennan family chooses to stand.
It is two months since Mr Brennan's death, and despite a call last week from Labour leader Eamon Gilmore for an early by-election, the senior government party appears ready to wait until Christmas for the Brennan family to indicate its intentions.
In addition, the planned polling day here may also coincide with a British general election, which would suit Taoiseach Brian Cowen even more in terms of getting an anti-Europe drumbeat out of the way.
- Senan Molony Deputy Political Editor
