Sinn Féin’s leadership has yet to decide whether to run a candidate in the presidential election, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald ruling herself out and leaving the party undecided as the October poll approaches.
McDonald confirmed this week that she will not stand, stressing her current priority is leading her party in the Dáil. Her decision highlights the party’s uncertainty over whether contesting the presidency serves its wider interests.
Who could run?
Mayo TD Rose Conway-Walsh has shown interest but lacks a national profile. Former leader Gerry Adams has been mentioned, though his candidacy would be highly divisive on both sides of the border. Another option is to support independent TD Catherine Connolly, who has a strong record on social justice issues and could serve as a unity figure for parts of the left.
Vice-president Michelle O’Neill is the most senior figure under discussion but is tied to her role as First Minister in Northern Ireland. Running for the presidency would raise questions about abandoning that post and could complicate Sinn Féin’s position in Northern Ireland.
Image: Michelle O’Neill via Flickr
Balancing risk and opportunity
The party is under pressure to demonstrate national credibility but is also wary of repeating the experience of 2018, when its candidate Liadh Ní Riada was heavily beaten by Michael D. Higgins. A similarly poor result in 2025 could hand opponents an opportunity to question Sinn Féin’s strength as the main opposition party. Simultaneously, there has been disquiet that a Sinn Féin nominee would threaten to split the left-wing vote from Connolly.
The strategic choice
The decision now rests with Sinn Féin’s officer board, which will make a recommendation to the Ard Comhairle on 20 September. The party has left open the possibility of backing a non-party candidate, while stressing that councillors will not be subject to a whip on nominations.
The calculation is less about individuals and more about strategy: whether entering the contest would showcase Sinn Féin’s claim to leadership, or expose vulnerabilities at a sensitive moment.
With nominations opening this month and polling set for 24 October, Sinn Féin has only days to decide if the presidency is a prize worth chasing or a trap best avoided.
Featured Image: Sinn Féin President Mary Lou Mcdonald – Sinn Féin
