What election process does Ireland have?

Answer 1

For general elections Ireland has a complicated system known as Proportional Representation with a Single Transferable Vote. Ireland also has multi-seat constituencies, where 3, 4 or 5 candidates are elected, depending on the constituency.

Answer 2

The president is elected by the people of Ireland in an election, using the single transferable vote system, meaning that you can express preferences for your vote. You can vote for more than one candidate in order of your preference.

An Irish president has a 7 year term and can serve two terms. The president is the head of state, but not the head of government. A president could resign or die in office, at which point there would be another election. There is no vice president in Ireland to take over.

A president can get a second term if nobody stands against them for election, which has happened. So there is not necessarily always an election. Most recently president Mary McAleese was elected president in 1997 and returned unopposed in 2004 and stayed president until 2011. There was a presidential election in 2011, which was won by Michael D. Higgins.