Politics

Sinn Féin to decide procedures to elect new deputy leader

Mary Lou McDonald expected to replace Gerry Adams when nominations close on Friday

Mary Lou McDonald: it is understood the party’s ardcomhairle will meet on Saturday to finalise the preparation for the special ardfheis to ratify Ms McDonald’s promotion. Photograph: Eric Luke

Sarah Bardon
Tue Jan 16 2018 - 17:42

Sinn Féin will decide its procedures for electing its deputy leader this weekend, in the event Mary Lou McDonald is the sole candidate for leader.

Nominations for the position of Sinn Féin leader close on Friday and Ms McDonald is the only name to have gone forward.

The Irish Times understands the ardcomhairle will meet on Saturday to finalise the preparation for the special ardfheis to ratify Ms McDonald's promotion.

It will also discuss how to appoint her successor as deputy leader of Sinn Féin.

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Nominations will be open for a period of 10 days and members will be asked to seek support for the position.

Party figures are hopeful the selection of a deputy leader can also take place at the special ardfheis, scheduled for February 10th.

However this will be dependant on the candidates who put their name forward for the position.

Several party figures have indicated a preference for the deputy leader to be from Northern Ireland.

Candidates could include leader in the North Michelle O'Neill, Sinn Féin MLA Conor Murphy and the party's finance spokesman, Pearse Doherty.

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