Maria Steen’s Presidential Bid Hangs by a Thread as Nominations Close

The race for the Irish Presidency is intensifying as the nomination deadline approaches. With only hours left until nominations close at midday, independent candidate Maria Steen is under pressure to secure the necessary support. Currently, she has backing from 18 members of the Oireachtas, including independent Senator Aubrey McCarthy, who announced his intention to nominate her this morning.

To qualify for the ballot, the Constitution mandates that a candidate must gather signatures from 20 members. Steen’s supporters remain optimistic but are aware that they need to find at least two more endorsements before the deadline. On Newstalk Breakfast, journalist Louise Burne highlighted the urgency of the situation, stating that Steen’s time is “definitely running very, very short” and predicting that the nomination process will go “right to the wire.”

Focus on Michael Lowry’s Decision

A key figure in this unfolding scenario is Michael Lowry, a TD whose potential involvement could significantly impact Steen’s chances. Burne noted that speculation is rife regarding whether Lowry might step in to provide the crucial 19th nomination, which could lead to a 20th endorsement following him. “He wasn’t answering anybody’s phone calls or text messages last night,” Burne remarked, raising questions about his next steps.

While it is theoretically possible for Government TDs and Senators to nominate Steen while still supporting their party’s candidate, doing so could have serious repercussions. Burne reported that whispers of support for Steen from Fianna Fáil senators surfaced, but there are concerns about the potential fallout. Micheál Martin, the party leader, reportedly warned his TDs and Senators that there would be consequences for signing Steen’s nomination papers.

Independent Senators’ Support Uncertain

Additionally, a few independent Senators might still consider nominating Steen, but the likelihood of this happening seems low. Burne indicated that Michael McDowell has already decided against endorsing Steen, while other independent Senators, such as Gerard Craughwell and Victor Boyhan, appear reluctant to offer their support as well.

The landscape has shifted further with the recent withdrawal of Gareth Sheridan from the presidential race, leaving only three confirmed candidates for next month’s election. Catherine Connolly, an independent TD, has gained the backing of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Labour, the Greens, and People Before Profit. Former Cabinet Minister Heather Humphreys has been nominated by Fine Gael, while Fianna Fáil is supporting former Dublin GAA manager Jim Gavin.

As the clock ticks down, all eyes remain on the unfolding drama in Leinster House, where the outcome of Steen’s nomination could influence the broader political landscape in Ireland. The next few hours are crucial, and the implications of this race extend beyond individual candidates, potentially shaping the future of Irish politics.