Former Green Party MEP Patricia McKenna, who failed to win a Dáil seat in Dublin Central, is to contest the party leadership to help ease "the wounds" of party members opposed to coalition with Fianna Fáil.
Candidates have until July 6th to submit their nominations, which must be supported by 50 party members. The issue will then be put to a postal vote of members with a result declared a week later.
In a Hot Press interview, Ms McKenna said her decision to enter the race was not designed to throw the party into turmoil, "but rather to help heal the emotional wounds of those who can't stomach powersharing with Fianna Fáil".
She said she had been asked to run for the vacancy left by outgoing leader Trevor Sargent just after the party made the decision to enter coalition with Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats.
Ms McKenna said she had initially refused but changed her mind after she was persuaded it was a good idea to launch a challenge. "My decision is really about having an alternative voice there. I think it is good to have a contest," said Ms McKenna, who represented Dublin in the European Parliament between 1999 and 2004.
"People have said that [the coalition] will never last, but I don't see them pulling out unless something catastrophic happens. We need to support the TDs - and also try to keep them on the straight and narrow.
"They really need the support because they are going to have enough problems in Government watching their backs."
