Opposition parties ‘anxiously’ await Sinn Fein presidential candidate decision

Opposition parties who endorse presidential candidate Catherine Connolly are “anxiously” awaiting the outcome of Sinn Fein’s decision on whether to field their own candidate or back the Independent.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Ms Connolly is the “best-positioned progressive left candidate” to stop Fine Gael or Fianna Fail from having their candidate win the race to the Aras.

Mr Murphy said he expects the presidential race to be a “straight fight” between the Galway West TD and representatives of the Government.

Sinn Fein has yet to make a decision on whether it will back Ms Connolly as part of a united left coalition.

Mr Murphy, a Dublin South West TD, said having Sinn Fein’s support would be a “big opportunity” for the left.

“We think she has a real prospect of winning, Fundamentally, this election is going to be about which direction we want the country to go in,” he said on Thursday.

“Do we want the Government to get away with abandoning all that is left of neutrality and ripping up the triple lock? Or do we want to defend neutrality in the triple lock?

“Do we want to have a Government which says some correct things in relation to Palestine, but then continues with complicity in terms of the Central Bank authorisation of the bonds, in terms of trying to water down the Occupied Territories Bill, in terms of the overflights that continue to happen?

“Do we want a Government that is very consciously seeking to accelerate the rise of rents, or a Government that puts the interests of renters, of homeless people, people who are trying to buy a house first? It’s about which direction the country is going in.”

He added: “I think it looks likely that it’s going to be a straight fight between Catherine Connolly on the one hand and representatives of the political establishment on the other hand.

“It’s very positive that other parties of the left have also come together.

“We’re obviously anxiously awaiting the outcome of Sinn Fein’s deliberations.

“There are certainly lots of grassroot Sinn Fein members who are very supportive of Catherine Connolly and, of course, we respect Sinn Fein’s own internal processes, but we’re certainly hoping that they make the decision to support Catherine Connolly. We think that will be a real boost.”

He said that while Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald would be a “very credible candidate”, he believes that Ms Connolly is the “best-positioned progressive left candidate” who has the best chance of stopping Fianna Fail or Fine Gael.

“To have the momentum in an election, I think the election itself is very important. It’s not just the winning of the presidency. Having an election where we’re working together on the ground on a national level, I think, has the potential to energise people,” he added.

Ms Connolly has the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a range of other independents.

Fianna Fail has yet to decide if it will field a candidate.

Two hopefuls have announced their intention to seek Fine Gael’s nomination for president.

Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly and former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys announced their intention to seek nomination earlier this week.

Nutriband entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan, mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor and Riverdance star Michael Flatley are among other hopefuls seeking a nomination.

A presidential election is expected towards the end of October as it must take place in the 60 days before the term of Michael D Higgins ends on November 11.

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older.

They must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or by at least four local authorities.

Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves.