A newly elected Fianna Fáil TD has openly encouraged his party leader, Taoiseach Micheál Martin, to consider running for the presidency, reports The Mirror.
Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, stated that the party leader would enjoy “phenomenal backing” from members of the parliamentary party. The Taoiseach previously stated last month that he would “definitely not” be a candidate in the race, reports The Mirror.
Despite this, internal pressure is mounting for Micheál Martin to clarify his intentions. MEPs Billy Kelleher and Barry Andrews have called for an immediate meeting of the parliamentary party to address the upcoming presidential election.
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Mr Cleere said: “The overwhelming majority of people that I speak to are saying that the man who should be our presidential candidate is our leader Micheál Martin. My personal view is that Micheál should put himself forward to be a presidential candidate. I know he’d have a phenomenal backing of the parliamentary party. I’d love to see (him) put himself forward,” reports The Mirror.
Still, the Taoiseach has repeatedly denied any intention of running for president.
In an interview with RTÉ’s Morning Ireland last month, he said: “I was elected. I wanted to lead Fianna Fáil into government.
“I have that obligation to the public. No disrespect to the presidency, but I gave commitments to the people that I will serve for the next five years and that’s what I’m going to,” reports The Mirror.
Meanwhile, People Before Profit—who are supporting Independent candidate Catherine Connolly—are calling on Sinn Féin to lend their support to her campaign as well.
Deputy Paul Murphy said: “I think this is a big opportunity for the left as a whole, including Sinn Féin, to get behind someone who is an independent, to show that we can work together in that way,” reports The Mirror.
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