Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams said he would nominate the DUP leader, Ian Paisley, for the post of First Minister in the Stormont Assembly when it reconvenes next week.
Sinn Féin will also nominate the party's Chief Negotiator, Martin McGuinness, for the position of Deputy First Minister.
However, at this stage it appears unlikely that Mr Paisley or anyone else in the DUP will accept the nomination, leaving the Assembly deadlocked.
In a speech to Sinn Féin Assembly members, Gerry Adams said 'in my opinion the current phase of the political talks will decide the future of the Good Friday Agreement - the stakes are that high'.
