Higgins set to be Ireland's new president

13:48, 29 October 2011

DUBLIN. October 29. KAZINFORM Irish poet Michael D. Higgins is on his way to be the country's next president after appearing to have won Ireland's presidential election Thursday; Kazinform refers to Xinhua.

Initial results Friday showed that the 70-year-old member of the Labour Party secured 39.6 percent of the first preference vote, while his main rival and independent candidate Sean Gallagher had conceded defeat.

Gallagher, an entrepreneur who won fame at a reality TV show, placed second in Thursday's presidential race with 28.5 percent of the vote, while former Irish Republican Army (IRA) commander Martin McGuinness ranked third with 13.7 percent.

Gallagher congratulated Higgins on his success, saying he would fully support Higgins as the country's president. Meanwhile, McGuinness reportedly has also sent congratulations to Higgins.

Ireland has a complex voting system for the presidential elections. Final results are expected to be announced soon; Kazinform cites Xinhua.

To learn more go to www.xinhuanet.com/english2010

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