Former Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader Bertie Ahern has once again put the cat amongst the pigeons today as he refused to either confirm nor deny speculation regarding his possible presidential bid next year.
Mr Ahern who was installed as one of the leading favourites by Bookmakers earlier this year, seemingly has his eyes set on taking the top job in Aras an Uachtarain next autumn.
Although the current President Michael D Higgins has refused to rule another stint in office it seems that the prospect of President Ahern is a real possibility especially with the former Taoiseach being asked to rejoin the Fianna Fail party in an advisory role earlier this year.
The never ending speculation surrounding Mr Ahern’s proposed bid gained more momentum this morning as the 66 year old appeared on Sky News to discuss the probable impact Brexit negotiations will have on Ireland, Britain and indeed the entire EU.
In the detailed interview which discussed all things Brexit related, the former Taoiseach was also asked about his rumoured run to become Ireland’s next President, to which he replied with a slight smirk: “God knows what will happen next year.”
However Ahern’s bid to become president could be stopped in its tracks if current President Michael D Higgins decides to run for a second term as early indications suggest that President Higgins would have far more public support than the former Taoiseach who has more often than not been labelled with the tag of the man who ran the country into the economic crisis.