Fine Gael National Executive to meet this evening to determine next steps in presidential election

FINE GAEL’S NATIONAL Executive will meet this evening to determine its next steps in choosing a presidential candidate following the shock announcement last week from Mairead McGuinness. 

McGuinness, who had been nominated as the party’s presidential candidate, withdrew her name from the race citing medical advice. 

The party has been left scrambling, with a number of names initially being spoken about as a possible replacement.

On Friday, after former Minister Frances Fitzgerald confirmed she will not be putting her name forward, MEP Sean Kelly confirmed to The Journal that he was re-considering his decision not to run.

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He previously “reluctantly” withdrew his name, ensuring that McGuinness was the sole name put forward before the party.

The Kerry politician doubled down on his position over the the weekend, stating that he is “enthusiastically” reconsidering, with sources stating that Kelly is determined to run for the job. 

However, over the weekend, former minister Heather Humphreys also confirmed that she is considering putting her name in the ring, with senior party sources confirming to The Journal that Humphreys is the favourite among the top tier in the party. 

It is understood that those in party HQ would like to see a single name come forward for the nomination, similar as to how McGuinness won the nomination.

However, sources state that Kelly is adamant that he wants to put his name forward for consideration among the party, with the MEP stating that people have told him he would have a lot to offer as a presidential candidate for the party. 

MEP Regina Doherty, who is a member of Fine Gael’s National Executive, told RTÉ yesterday that while she would like to see a contest for the party’s presidential nomination, the time to do so is “tight”.

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If two names do come forward, the party will have to hold a number of hustings around the country before a vote is held.

The party runs an electoral college system, with power weighted towards the parliamentary party. 

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris told The Journal earlier this year that he would like to see a contest within his party for the nomination. 

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