Page "Irish presidential election, 2004" Paragraph 3

In early 2003, the Labour Party said that the party would run a candidate, irrespective of the attitudes of other parties, and even in the event of the president seeking a second term.

But party leader Pat Rabbitte appeared less committed during a television interview in November 2003, pointing out that all the party's attentions were focused on the two Irish elections already set for 2004, the European Parliament election and the local elections to be held on 11 June 2004.

Following the significant losses of the ruling Fianna Fáil party in these elections, Labour Party sources suggested the presidential election should not be contested if it were to allow a decisive Fianna Fáil victory so soon after earlier election woes.

Possible candidates were: