At 52, McDonald represents a generational change for the party after 34 years with Gerry Adams at the helm. Under her leadership, the party has emphasized issues such as repealing the Republic of Ireland’s ban on abortion.
“It’s time now for a government for you and your family that puts workers and families first,” McDonald said. ”Sinn Féin will deliver that government for the people. We want to lead that government. And I want to lead as taoiseach if you give us that chance.”
Currently, Sinn Féin is the largest opposition party in the Republic of Ireland and part of a five-party coalition government in Northern Ireland.
McDonald, who is the party’s second woman leader and the first woman to lead the opposition in the Irish parliament, has worked to broaden Sinn Féin’s appeal to the Irish electorate. The party had its best-ever showing at the polls in 2020.
“I know you have had it with governments giving tax breaks to millionaire executives while homeless children eat dinner off cardboard on the street,” McDonald said in October.
McDonald sees an opportunity to break the hold on political power by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. The two major parties have vowed never to form a coalition government with Sinn Féin because of its historical association with the paramilitary Provisional Irish Republic Army and allegations that some top party leaders served on the its council.