OPPOSITION PARTIES WHO endorse presidential candidate Catherine Connolly are “anxiously” awaiting the outcome of Sinn Féin’s decision on whether to field their own candidate or back the Independent.

People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said Connolly is the “best-positioned progressive left candidate” to stop Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil from having their candidate win the race to the Áras.

Sinn Féin has yet to make a decision on whether it will back Connolly as part of a united left coalition.

Murphy said having Sinn Féin’s support would be a “big opportunity” for the left.

“We think she has a real prospect of winning, Fundamentally, this election is going to be about which direction we want the country to go in,” he said.

“Do we want the Government to get away with abandoning all that is left of neutrality and ripping up the triple lock? Or do we want to defend neutrality in the triple lock?

“Do we want to have a Government which says some correct things in relation to Palestine, but then continues with complicity in terms of the Central Bank authorisation of the bonds, in terms of trying to water down the Occupied Territories Bill, in terms of the overflights that continue to happen?

“Do we want a Government that is very consciously seeking to accelerate the rise of rents, or a Government that puts the interests of renters, of homeless people, people who are trying to buy a house first? It’s about which direction the country is going in.”

The Dublin South West TD said it looks likely that the presidential race is going to be a “straight fight” between the Galway West TD and “representatives of the political establishment”. 

It’s very positive that other parties of the left have also come together. We’re obviously anxiously awaiting the outcome of Sinn Féin’s deliberations.

“There are certainly lots of grassroot Sinn Fein members who are very supportive of Catherine Connolly and, of course, we respect Sinn Fein’s own internal processes, but we’re certainly hoping that they make the decision to support Catherine Connolly. We think that will be a real boost.”

Murphy added that while Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald would be a “very credible candidate”, he believes that Connolly is the “best-positioned progressive left candidate” who has the best chance of stopping Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

Connolly has the backing of Labour, the Social Democrats, People Before Profit and a range of other independents.

Two hopefuls have announced their intention to seek Fine Gael’s nomination for president.

Fine Gael MEP Seán Kelly and former party deputy leader Heather Humphreys announced their intention to seek nomination earlier this week, with the former Cavan-Monaghan TD currently holding a commanding lead over the former GAA president. 

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Fianna Fáil has been staying schtum on who it might put forward as its candidate, with one MEP this week calling on the party to convene an urgent meeting to discuss the election ahead of its think-in in September. 

Nutriband entrepreneur Gareth Sheridan and Riverdance star Michael Flatley are among other hopefuls seeking a nomination.

The election is expected towards the end of October as it must take place in the 60 days before the term of President Michael D Higgins ends on 11 November.

To be eligible to run, a candidate must be an Irish citizen who is 35 or older, and they must be nominated either by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or by at least four local authorities.

Former or retiring presidents can nominate themselves.

With reporting from Press Association