Sinn Féin 'not rushing' decision on presidential nominee as Aontú consider right-wing candidates

Aontú are still pushing to form a presidential election caucus which would bring in TDs and senators who may back a right-wing candidate

While Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has been floated as a possible candidate, some in the party have moved to dismiss the possibility. Picture: Andy Gibson

Sinn Féin are not expected to make a final decision on whether to run their own presidential candidate or back left-wing independent Catherine Connolly until mid-August, party sources have indicated.

One TD said they would “not be rushing” to any decision, but there were a number of options on the table for who the party could run.

While party leader Mary Lou McDonald has been floated as a possible candidate, some in the party have moved to dismiss the possibility.

However, there appears to be consensus within Sinn Féin that the party would need to run a high-profile figure, with one TD saying it would have to be someone “high spec”.

One senior party source described the party’s previous decision to run Liadh Ní Riada in the 2018 presidential election as a “mistake”, citing her lack of public profile and the popularity of incumbent president Michael D Higgins.

“We made a big mistake putting a candidate up against Michael D Higgins. We got it wrong,” they said.

However, they described the upcoming election as a “clean slate” as there is no incumbent challenging again.

Other names being circulated within the party as possible contenders include Pearse Doherty, Michelle O’Neill and John Finucane.

Aontú

Meanwhile, there is still a push ongoing by Aontú to form a presidential election caucus, which would bring in TDs and senators who may back a right-wing candidate for the office.

Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín previously said he is speaking to two possible candidates, but has declined to set out who they are. There has been some speculation that one candidate is businessman Declan Ganley.

The party has sent letters to 25 TDs and senators, seeking their engagement with the proposed caucus. It is understood there are five TDs and Senators who have agreed to get involved, alongside the three Aontú Oireachtas members.

However, this is still 12 short of the required 20 Oireachtas nominations required to get a candidate on the ballot paper.

A party source said dealing with other independent TDs and senators was like "minding mice at a crossroads" and that many are still holding their cards close to their chests.