Sinn Féin has said it is keeping its options open regarding a possible presidential bid by Mary Lou McDonald, as Fine Gael officially launches its nomination process, reports RTE.
When asked this morning whether she was ruling out a presidential run, the Sinn Féin leader responded: “We are not ruling anything in or anything out.”
This marks a shift from her comments in March, when she told reporters: “It won’t be me,” reports RTE.
Speaking to journalists at the Four Courts, Ms McDonald explained that the party has begun an internal process relating to the presidency.
She added that Sinn Féin would not be commenting on any specific names being circulated, reports RTE.
“We are not making any comment definitively on any of them, myself included,” said Ms McDonald, reports RTE.
She confirmed that a full party consultation on the presidential race has taken place.
Ms McDonald said the consultation report is now on her desk, but acknowledged that more work remains.
She said Sinn Féin expects to have more clarity on their approach by the end of July or into August, reports RTE.
The party leader also said discussions have taken place regarding a possible joint candidate supported by the broader Opposition and left-wing parties, but added, “we don’t have clarity on this”.
“It’s a moving picture,” she added, reports RTE.
Sinn Féin has now wrapped up its internal consultation on the strategy it should pursue.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael is officially opening its nominations today for those seeking to contest the presidential election, reports RTE.
President Michael D Higgins is due to complete his term on 11 November, with the vote expected to occur in late October.
Fine Gael is the first party to begin selecting a candidate, though it does not plan to announce its nominee until early September, reports RTE.
The nomination process begins today and will remain open until Tuesday, 15 July.
To be nominated, a candidate must receive support from 20 members of the parliamentary party, 25 local councillors, and five members of the party’s executive council.
Both Mairead McGuinness and MEP Seán Kelly are considered likely contenders, reports RTE.
Under Fine Gael’s voting system, the parliamentary party holds 55% of the vote, with party members accounting for 30% and councillors making up the remaining 15%.
The Social Democrats and People Before Profit-Solidarity now believe that a left-aligned candidate will be on the ballot for the presidency.
Fianna Fáil has said it will decide how to approach the presidential campaign by late August, reports RTE.
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