Michael D Higgins re-elected - Masterclass undermines democracy

Take a bow, Ireland. At a moment when so many once reliable societies shy away from the never-ending challenge of sustaining progressive, tolerant, welcoming, largely decent societies, we re-elected a president whose half-century political career has been dedicated to the long and always democratic pursuit of those noble, uplifting ideals.

As ever, context is everything. This weekend that is provided by Brazil where Jair Bolsonaro was expected to be elected president in a swing to the darkest, repressive right. An advocate of torture and a supporter of those who dangerously exploit finite natural resources, Bolsonaro seems a despot in waiting. He will join a lengthening list of trigger-happy autocrats all too happy to ignore legal and moral norms. He is the polar opposite of Michael D Higgins, who was re-elected on 56% of the vote — 822,566 backers. This is highest individual vote achieved in the eight elections since the office was established in 1938. That simple statistic tells many stories.