Adam Price represents Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

Mr Price, who is seen as one of Plaid's rising stars, is frustrated that none of the party's elected representatives - AMs, MPs or MEPs - are contesting the post.

Names thrown into the ring so far are vice president Dafydd Iwan and former politician Cynog Dafis.

But Mr Price believes the president should come from the ranks of the politicians who represent the party in Westminster, the assembly or the European Parliament.

Mr Jones announced he would step down as president following Plaid's poor performance in the May elections, in which it lost five of its 17 seats.

He is also resigning as Plaid's leader in the assembly - two AMs have stepped forward saying they want to take over this job - but neither want to be president as well.

On Friday, 34-year-old Mr Price, who represents Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, said he was trying to persuade other elected representatives to fight for the presidency.

But if he fails, he would step forward himself.

Dafydd Iwan hopes to become Plaid's president

He feels the party would be sending out the wrong message if the new president is not a full-time politician.

MPs Simon Thomas and Elfyn Llwyd have both ruled themselves out of the presidency race.

Mr Price was elected to Westminster in June 2001.

He has a strong background in the party as a founder of the Federation of Plaid Cymru students and a former director of policy.

Plotting accusation

This week, two candidates emerged to replace Ieuan Wyn Jones as party leader in the Welsh assembly.

The first to come forward was Rhodri Glyn Thomas, the AM for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, on Monday.

He has since been joined in the contest by Helen Mary Jones, one of the AMs who has been accused of scheming to oust Mr Jones from the head of the party.

Ms Jones, who represents mid and west Wales, denied any such plot existed.

The roles of both assembly leader and party president are currently held by Ieuan Wyn Jones.

Plaid plans to elect a new leader by their party conference in mid-September.