Former MEP Mick Wallace won't rule out presidential bid – but ‘certainly wouldn't run' if Catherine Connolly is on the ballot
Speaking to South East Radio's Morning Mix with Alan Corcoran, the developer and left-wing politician said that he would 'never say never' about entering the race, but he 'certainly wouldn't run against Catherine Connolly, I can tell you that'.
Asked whether he would consider a presidential bid, he said: 'Oh, listen, that's a hard question. First of all, the president in Ireland wasn't a role I see as incredibly significant over the years but I would say that Micheal D has changed that.'
Mr Wallace said the current president has been 'powerful' and 'hasn't been afraid to tell the truth' on important issues, including 'to call out the truth in Gaza and expose Israeli war crimes and the complicity of western governments in that'.
He added that President Higgins 'has elevated the role like nobody before him, he has put Ireland on the map in a certain way, in how he has handled his portfolio'.
"He has brought great prestige to a job that didn't have it before that. It has become a very important position because when you can use your voice, when you can get a platform to express your views on things and not be afraid and do so without fear, that's important and that's a very significant role to play,' he said.
"I have seen the names being bandied about for the presidency and, my God, I'm not impressed. I'm not impressed with who's threatening to go forward for the job because in my opinion, any name I've seen so far wouldn't be a patch on Michael D,' he said.
"They would be a very pale shadow and they would actually, if anything, they just wouldn't do anything for the role. There's one person that I would love to see stand in Ireland and I certainly wouldn't stand if she was standing and that's Catherine Connolly from Galway.'
He described the Galway West TD and former leas-cheann comhairle of the Dáil as 'the business' and the only potential candidate he could see filling the role 'like Michael D did'.
"If you're asking me would I consider running for the presidency, well, I certainly wouldn't run against Catherine Connolly, I can tell you that,' he said.
Asked whether he would consider a presidential bid if Ms Connolly does not run, Mr Wallace said: 'Let's see. Let's see.'
When it was put to him that he did not rule out a presidential bid, the former MEP said: 'Listen. We never say never, I mean let's see. I don't know anything. I don't know. We'll see.'
Ms Connolly is seen as the front-runner for a potential candidate who could represent a number of parties on the left.
She previously said she would consider running if approached by a wide range of groups and parties.
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