Mairead McGuinness will not contest next European elections

European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness has said she will not contest the European elections next year amid “intense speculation” about her intentions.

In a statement on Monday, Ms McGuinness confirmed that she will not be a candidate and that her “absolute focus” is serving in her role as EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union.

Ms McGuinness was appointed as commissioner after Phil Hogan resigned as Ireland’s Commissioner in the wake of the golfgate scandal of 2020, having been elected as a Fine Gael MEP for the Midlands-North-West constituency in 2019.

She had served from 2014 in that constituency, and as an Ireland East MEP for ten years before that.

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It had been speculated in political circles that she could seek to be elected as president of the European Parliament. She was previously a vice-president of the European Parliament, and the commissioner role is set to be filled by Fianna Fáil when it comes up for appointment next year.

In a statement on Monday afternoon, Ms McGuinness said: “I am aware of the intense speculation about my intentions. I have over recent months said publicly that I will not contest the European Parliament elections. My position has not changed and will not change.

“I have one more year to serve in my role as EU Commissioner for Financial Services, Financial Stability and Capital Markets Union. This is my absolute focus for the next twelve months.

“I have expressed a willingness to serve as Commissioner in the next mandate, but fully respect that this is a decision to be made by Government.”