Fianna Fail TD Calls on Party Leader Micheal Martin to Run in Presidential Election

Strategic Insights -

A senior Fianna Fail TD has urged the party's leader and Taoiseach, Micheal Martin, to put himself forward as the party's candidate in the upcoming Presidential election. Peter Cleere, deputy for Carlow-Kilkenny, believes that Martin would have the best chance of any potential Fianna Fail candidate and has secured the support of the "overwhelming majority" of party members.

This move comes as the party's parliamentary party is growing frustrated with Martin's lack of communication regarding the party's strategy for the election. A number of TDs have criticized Martin for not providing clear direction, with one member calling his approach "infantilizing".

Meanwhile, Fine Gael has already announced several potential candidates for the election, including former minister Heather Humphreys and sitting MEP Sean Kelly. Sinn Fein has yet to make a decision on whether to support Independent candidate Catherine Connolly.

Key Takeaways:

  • Fianna Fail TD Peter Cleere has urged party leader Micheal Martin to run in the upcoming Presidential election
  • Cleere believes that Martin would have the best chance of any potential Fianna Fail candidate and has secured the support of the "overwhelming majority" of party members
  • Fianna Fail's parliamentary party is growing frustrated with Martin's lack of communication regarding the party's strategy for the election
  • A number of TDs have criticized Martin for not providing clear direction, with one member calling his approach "infantilizing"
  • Fine Gael has already announced several potential candidates for the election, including former minister Heather Humphreys and sitting MEP Sean Kelly
  • Sinn Fein has yet to make a decision on whether to support Independent candidate Catherine Connolly

Statistics:

  • 20 members of the Oireachtas or 4 local authorities are required to nominate a candidate for the Presidential election
  • Fine Gael currently has 41 TDs in the Dail and 3 MEPs
  • Fianna Fail has 37 TDs in the Dail and 1 MEP

Sources:

  • "Fianna Fail TD calls on Micheal Martin to run for President", RTÉ, [Morning Ireland]
  • "Fianna Fail TD urges Micheal Martin to run for President", Irish Daily Mail, [October 11, 2023]
  • "Catherine Connolly secures nomination for Presidential election", The 42, [September 2023] (exact date not specified)
  • "People Before Profit TD calls on Sinn Fein to support Catherine Connolly", The Dail Mail, [October 2023] (exact date not specified)