Tom Parlon and Liz O'Donnell are to announce whether they will run for the leadership of the Progressive Democrats within the next two days amid a growing belief throughout the party that Michael McDowell will be elected unopposed, write Mark Brennock, Paul Cullen and Liam Reid
None of the three possible contenders said yesterday whether or not they would run, although Mr McDowell's candidacy is seen as a certainty. Several senior figures, including some potential Ms O'Donnell supporters, said they did not believe the Dublin South deputy would run.
Minister of State Parlon said yesterday he was still "reflecting" on the matter and that he would talk to Ms O'Donnell over the weekend about it.
There was widespread speculation in the party last night that the suggestion that he succeed to Mr McDowell's current post of party president - put forward by Mr McDowell loyalist, Senator Tom Morrissey yesterday - would be accepted by him, ensuring a smooth and rancour-free transition.
A series of declarations of support for McDowell from TDs and Senators yesterday took those hoping either of the other two could win by surprise. Minister of State Tim O'Malley was first to declare support, causing surprise among some who had seen him as a likely Ms O'Donnell supporter.
He was followed by Galway West TD Noel Grealish, Senators Kate Walsh, Michael Brennan and Tom Morrissey, as well as former PD minister Bobby Molloy.
Calls to party councillors showed that a majority of them - at least 15 of the 29 - intended to back Mr McDowell.
A meeting of the party's Galway city and county councillors unanimously backed Mr McDowell.
Several parliamentary party members said yesterday that the series of declarations of support for Mr McDowell, which most believed had been orchestrated to have maximum effect, had damaged the prospect of any alternative contender to build momentum behind a campaign.
There was agreement among supporters of all three that, at this stage, Mr McDowell also had the backing of at least eight members of the 13-member PD parliamentary party.
Under the party's election rules, if Mr McDowell is the only nominated candidate for the leadership on Monday at noon, he could be declared party leader as early as Monday night at a meeting of the party's national executive scheduled for 7pm.
Neither Mr McDowell nor Ms O'Donnell commented on their intentions yesterday. Mr Parlon said his supporters wanted him to stand but he had not yet made up his mind. "The messages I'm getting from my people, and from my constituency in particular, are saying they would be urging me very strongly to consider going for the position. But I'm sure any constituency would support their candidate strongly."
While it was important to avoid rancour in the party he didn't see anything wrong with "a good clean contest". He said if he were elected leader, he would stand over the commitment to stable, full-term government made by Ms Harney when the present Programme for Government was negotiated with Fianna Fáil in 2002.
This is the commitment sought by the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern from whoever becomes PD leader.
Dún Laoghaire TD Fiona O'Malley said she did not believe there would be a contest, implying that she believed Mr McDowell would become leader unopposed.
Senator Morrissey said he believed Mr McDowell would be elected unopposed, and that Mr Parlon should then become party president in his place.
Senator Walsh said: "If there was a contest I would certainly be backing Michael McDowell. I think we have the best Minister for Justice this country will ever see. I hold him in very high esteem and he has the qualities of a great leader."