The Social Democrats say they will definitely not support a Fianna Fáil - Fine Gael government.
Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar are due to sit down for "exploratory talks" on government formation early next week.
With the two men repeatedly having ruled out working with Sinn Féin, they would need to work together to form a government - but would still require additional support from smaller parties or independents.
However, Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy confirmed this morning her party - which has six TDs in the 33rd Dáil - will not back such a coalition.
It is a definite no to FF FG https://t.co/efdmzYcHn1
— Catherine Murphy (@CathMurphyTD) February 22, 2020
Members of the party did not support any of the candidates in the votes for the Taoiseach in the Dáil on Thursday, with co-leader Róisín Shortall saying it would be pointless for them to do so until a programme for government was in place.
The party's newly-elected Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon yesterday evening said they wouldn't be in "any way" involved in a 'grand coalition' between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "I respect the mandate of all parties, but that coalition won’t be one that we will have any part in.
Members of the party did not support any of the candidates in the votes for the Taoiseach in the Dáil on Thursday, with co-leader Róisín Shortall saying it would be pointless for them to do so until a programme for government was in place.
The party's newly-elected Dublin Central TD Gary Gannon yesterday evening said they wouldn't be in "any way" involved in a 'grand coalition' between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Writing on Twitter, he said: "I respect the mandate of all parties, but that coalition won’t be one that we will have any part in.
