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“Faccio nuovi inizi” dice Martin McGuinness dopo la candidatura ufficiale

I do new beginnings says McGuinness after nomination

Martin McGuinness, Sinn FeinMartin McGuinness, who has been nominated by Sinn Féin for the presidency, spoke at a midday press conference in Dublin today. (Sunday 18 September 2011).

He was introduced by the party’s president, Gerry Adams TD, who with Mr McGuinness and members of the Sinn Féin Ard Chomhairle, had just met to ratify his nomination, made with the assistance of four independent TDs.

He told the gathering that he had “reflected long and hard” on his decision to allow his name to go on the ballot. Reflecting on the last 40 years of his political career, the candidate said it had included:

“The great heights of the peace process and negotiations, the achievement of political agreements and the establishment of all-Ireland and power sharing political institutions. And the many lows which two decades and more of violent conflict inevitably gave us, of the squandering of the wealth of the Celtic tiger and the scandal of many of our brightest and best young people being driven to every corner of the globe in search of work.”

He said he felt that the Irish people were searching for a new beginning: “I do new beginnings,” he said, adding that he wanted to make “a contribution, make a difference to people’s lives, inspire and unite them.”

“I have never sought financial gain or privilege from my involvement in politics and I never will. I still live in the same community where I was born and raised.

“If elected President I will only draw the average wage,” he said, putting it up to the other candidates for the 300,000+ a year post and saying that the bulk of the salary would be donated to the Irish people.

“I want to share in the pain, hurt and sacrifices of the Irish people,” he said.

He referred to his relationships with the Rev Ian Paisley and with First Minister Peter Robinson, saying he was proud of having served with unionists such as them.

“My campaign is open to all. It will be broad-based and it will embody the great republican and democratic principles which underpin the Irish nation.

“I will be a people’s president a president for a new republic in a new time,” he concluded.

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René Querin

Di professione grafico e web designer, sono appassionato di trekking e innamorato dell'Irlanda e della sua storia. Insieme ad Andrea Varacalli ho creato e gestisco Les Enfants Terribles.

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