Elaine Loughlin: Next leader of Social Democrats must navigate challenging phase

Fledgling party is now at a crossroads, writes Deputy Political Editor Elaine Loughlin

Catherine Murphy and Róisín Shortall announcing that they are standing down as co-leaders of the Social Democrats, at Buswells Hotel, Dublin. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA

Still a fledgling political entity, the Social Democrats are now at a crossroads. In electing the next leader or leaders, the decision made by the party’s members could decide whether it becomes a permanent entity in Irish politics or whether it goes the way of the Progressive Democrats, Democratic Left, and others that have branched out but ultimately failed.

In stark contrast to countless other political resignations, there was a jovial, collegiate atmosphere as Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy announced at a press conference that they would be stepping aside.