SF presidential candidate will have six weeks to campaign
SINN Féin will select a candidate to contest the presidential election in mid-September, allowing only six weeks for their challenger to run a campaign.
The party, which is the only political party to opt to run a challenger against incumbent President Michael D Higgins, has outlined a lengthy selection process to chose a candidate.
The nomination process will open on August 20 and close on September 10. A special meeting of the Ard Comhairle will then be held on September 16.
Each of the regional structures of the party can select up to two nominees – and if two are to be put forward, one must be a woman. The national officer board of the party can also nominate.
“Sinn Féin is in this contest to win. We want this to be a discussion about what type of society, what type of country Ireland is,” said David Cullinane, who chaired the party’s committee which set up the process.
It is expected that the election will be held in late October. Mr Cullinane said a six-week campaign was long enough for the party’s candidate to make a difference in the election.
He rejected suggestions that the party was delaying the selection in order to avoid lengthy media scrutiny of the chosen candidate.
“We don’t hide from anybody, we certainly don’t hide from the media – we’re here today announcing our process,” he said.
“We have to give our members an opportunity to nominate, which we will do. It will be a fair process.”
When a candidate is selected, they will engage fully with the media, he added.
The party will also allow councillors to facilitate additional candidates to enter the race by abstaining in local authority votes.
The party is widely expected to put forward a woman. MEP Liadh Ní Riada has been floated.
Mr Cullinane also said he did not believe Mr Higgins was precluded from taking part in televised debates during the campaign – but said it would be a matter for Mr Higgins to decide.