Elaine Loughlin: Presidential poker — who’s bluffing, who’s stalling, and who’s really in the race?

With no clear frontrunner and all parties hesitating, the presidential race risks becoming a political last-minute scramble

Senator Frances Black at Leinster House, Dublin. Many willing to back her still believe Black wasn't fully serious when she declared in recent days that she is '98%' out of the race. Picture: Grainne Ni Aodha/PA Wire

It's gearing up to be a last-minute dash for the Áras as all parties, and none, seem caught up in a game where no one wants to make the first move.

With Frances Black all but ruling herself out of the race, the grand plan to put forward one consensus candidate of the left could fall apart before it fully materialises.