Adams to relinquish presidency next year

Gerry Adams salutes his Ard Fheis audience. RollingNews.ie photo.

 

By Evan Short

Gerry Adams will stand down as Sinn Féin president in 2018.

Mr. Adams made the announcement to 2,500 party delegates at Sinn Féin’s Ard Fheis in Dublin on Saturday night.

Speaking to a packed RDS arena in what was his last Ard Fheis as president, Adams said he would be asking the incoming Ard Comhairle to agree a date in 2018 for a special Ard Fheis to elect a new leader.

Mary Lou McDonald is widely expected to take over as party president as early as the spring of next year.

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“Republicanism has never been stronger,” Mr. Adams said during his address.

"This is our time. We will grow even stronger in the future. But leadership means knowing when it is time for change. That time is now. I will not be standing for the Dáil in the next election. Neither will my friend and comrade Martin Ferris.

“I want to thank Martin, Marie and their clan for years of service to the republic. This is also my last Ard Fheis as Uachtarán Shinn Féin. I will ask the incoming Ard Chomhairle to agree a date in 2018 for a special Ard Fheis to elect our next Uachtarán.

“I have always seen myself as a team player and a team builder. I have complete confidence in the leaders we elected this weekend and in the next generation of leaders.

“I want to thank everyone who has welcomed me into their homes and communities and who have made me part of countless campaigns, countless elections and countless negotiations.

“I want to especially thank the people of West Belfast, and the people of Louth, including Richard McAuley, for your unswerving support and solidarity, and your friendship. I firmly believe that one person can make a difference.

“The first step in making a difference is believing that you can be that person. One woman, one man, doing their best.

“That’s what it takes. You don’t have to do as much as Martin McGuinness did, but we all have to do our best – and we have to do it together. That is the key to our successes so far. Doing our best, moving forward, united, strong and together. Na habair é – dean é.”

“You are the makers of the future. You are the nation builders. You are important. Never forget that."

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin’s leader in the North Michelle O’Neill, has ruled herself out of the running to replace Gerry Adams as overall party leader.

Speaking to the BBC, O’Neill said she already has “enough to do.”

 

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