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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
National
Justin Kelly

Holly Cairns to become next leader of the Social Democrats as no other candidates challenge for job

Holly Cairns will become the new leader of the Social Democrats next week as she will be unopposed in a leadership contest.

The Cork TD announced her intention to stand for the leadership of the party today while all other apparent contenders confirmed their intention to stand aside.

Cairns posted on Twitter on Sunday afternoon: “I’m excited to announce that I am putting myself forward to be the next leader of the Social Democrats.”

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Within minutes, the only other likely candidate not to have announced her position on the leadership, Jennifer Whitmore, posted a video of support for Cairns.

In her video, Deputy Whitmore said: "I’m delighted to hear that Holly is putting herself forward for the leadership of the Social Democrats and I am hear to say that I am going to put my full support behind her.

"I think Holly will make an incredible leader for the party and I am looking forward to the next chapter."

This news comes days after the shock joint announcement of co-leaders of the party, Róisín Shortall and Catherine Murphy, sigalling that they were standing down to make way for the next generation.

Holly Cairns will officially become the leader of the Social Democrats at a meeting of the party on Tuesday.

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