Dublin: The upcoming local elections on June 7 are notable for the increased representation of immigrant candidates, particularly women. According to the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI), over 100 candidates from migrant backgrounds are running, with 55% of them being women. This marks a significant increase from 2019, when only 56 immigrants contested, 45% of whom were women.
Previously, most immigrant candidates ran as independents, but this year, two-thirds are affiliated with political parties, a shift from 2019 when more than half were independents. The ICI highlights that one in eight people in Ireland are immigrants, with one in 20 of these immigrants running as candidates.
This election also sees first-time candidates from South America and Central America. Notably, 81% of immigrant candidates are running for the first time, with candidates present in 27 out of 31 local authorities, up from 24 in 2019.
Theresa Buczkowska, ICI Migrant Political Participation Coordinator, emphasized the need for even more immigrant candidates to ensure better democratic participation. ICIC CEO Brian Killoran stressed the importance of including immigrants in decision-making processes to enhance equality and fairness in Ireland.