FOR the second time in two months, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is expected to put his name forward to be leader of the DUP.
The Lagan Valley MP is due to announce his interest in the post today following the resignation of Edwin Poots last week after just 21 days as leader.
With no one expected to stand against Sir Jeffrey, he is due to be elected leader on June 26.
But while his leadership will be welcomed by those within the DUP who remain deeply unhappy at how Arlene Foster was deposed, it will create a logistical headache for the party.
As an MP, Sir Jeffrey cannot be First Minister.
During his first leadership campaign, Sir Jeffrey said he would give up his Westminster seat and run in the next assembly election with the aim of becoming First Minister to lead the party from Stormont.
But instability within the DUP means that it is likely Sir Jeffrey will want to take on an assembly seat sooner rather than later.
He could be co-opted into a seat if one of his party colleagues resigns.
Arlene Foster has already said she will step away from politics.
The former DUP leader could potentially give up her Fermanagh and South Tyrone seat to help Sir Jeffrey.
Yet the Lagan Valley MP may prefer to stick to the constituency he has represented at Westminster since 1997.
In that case, one of his colleagues - Edwin Poots or Paul Givan - may be compelled to give up their assembly seat with the promise of a promotion to Westminster.
However, this shift will cause difficulties for the party.
There is no guarantee that the DUP will be able to hold on to the Lagan Valley Westminster seat.
Sir Jeffrey's once large majority was significantly dented by the Alliance in the December 2019 general election.
Alliance candidate Sorcha Eastwood managed to grab 28.8% of the vote - a rise of almost 18% on the previous election.
While Sir Jeffrey still retained more than 43% of the vote, neither Mr Poots nor Mr Givan, who have been at the centre of DUP divisions, may fare so well.
