Presidency or Party? What’s next for Mary Lou McDonald—and Sinn Féin?

With the summer recess looming, Sinn Féin leads in the opinion polls. The party has led a noisy — and at times confrontational — left-wing opposition to the coalition government. And its leader enjoys strong approval ratings and widespread first-name recognition across Ireland.So why is Mary Lou McDonald now hinting at a possible new role? Just months ago, when asked about running for president, the Dublin Central TD was quick to dismiss the idea: “It won’t be me.” This week, however, she declined to rule out the possibility entirely.What’s changed? Could Sinn Féin nominate its leader for this autumn’s presidential election — and what might that signal about the party’s future direction?Ciara Doherty is joined by Shane Coleman, presenter of Newstalk Breakfast, to unpack why Mary Lou McDonald might pursue the Áras, what her potential candidacy could mean for Sinn Féin, and who could step up to lead the party in the Dáil if she steps aside.📩 Join the conversation by emailing [email protected].