SDLP Foyle MP Colum Eastwood
The Foyle MP quit as SDLP leader in October 2024.
He said people had asked him to consider standing.
“There’s very few candidates in the field right now. It’s something that needs a lot of consideration,” he said.
“I’m going to take the time to think about it, but it’s a long summer and there’s enough to be getting on with before any decisions around that would have to be made.”
“I’ve done a lot of work over the past number of months, in stepping down as party leader, on a new Ireland and speaking to people right across the political divide across the island,” Eastwood said.
Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill has also not ruled herself out of the race.
Asked if she is considering putting her name forward, Ms O’Neill said “we are working our way through our deliberations in terms of the presidential race itself”.
Asked about the speculation linking her to the election she said: “myself I think I’ve plenty to do as first minister but the fact remains that I could stand for election; I could be elected but I can’t vote in that election so that’s where there is a deficit.”
The election has to be held before November 11.
President Michael D Higgins can’t run again as he will have completed two full seven-year terms.
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