‘SF would call an election if leader quit’
EOIN O Broin has said he believes Sinn Fein would call an election if leader Mary Lou Mcdonald stood down as Taoiseach during a term.
He made the comments as the party continues to call for a General Election ahead of Simon Harris’ appointment as Taoiseach on April 9.
He became leader of Fine Gael last week following the shock resignation of Leo Varadkar.
Sinn Fein has repeatedly said Mr Harris does “not have a mandate” from the public to be Taoiseach as he did not lead his party in the last general election.
The Constitution states that the Taoiseach is nominated by the Dail and appointed by the President.
During elections, people vote on TDS running in their constituencies. They do not vote for who they think should be Taoiseach.
CHANGE
Speaking in Leinster House yesterday, Mr O Broin continued to argue that Mr Harris does not have a mandate from the public to be Taoiseach.
Asked by the Irish Mirror if Sinn Fein would call an election if Mcdonald stepped down as Taoiseach in the middle of a term, O Broin, inset, said he believed they would. He said: “A Taoiseach needs a mandate from the people. If a Taoiseach does not have a mandate from the people through General Election, then they won’t be able to govern.
“To answer your question, my view is no matter who’s in government, whether it’s Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, if there is going to be a change of Taoiseach who hasn’t contested a General Election then that person has to… he did [contest the General Election] but not as the leader of the party and not as a prospective Taoiseach.”