Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate supported by a coalition of left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, and the Social Democrats, has achieved a significant victory in the presidential election. Official results indicate that Connolly garnered strong voter support, securing 63% of first-preference votes after accounting for spoiled ballots. Her opponent, Heather Humphreys of the centre-right party Fine Gael, received 29% of the votes. Connolly and Humphreys were the sole candidates in the recent election following the withdrawal of Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil nominee, three weeks prior due to a financial dispute.
In her speech at Dublin Castle on Saturday evening, Connolly, 68, expressed her commitment to championing diversity and serving as a voice for peace while upholding Ireland’s policy of neutrality.
“I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honor,” the president-elect said.
Connolly, a former barrister who has served as a member of the legislature since 2016, has been an outspoken critic of Israel regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza. She has also raised concerns about the European Union’s increasing militarisation in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While Ireland has a longstanding tradition of military neutrality, some of her critics caution that her stance may risk alienating the nation’s allies.
Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has served as president since 2011 and has completed the maximum of two seven-year terms. She will become the 10th president of Ireland and the third woman to hold the office.
Prime Minister Micheál Martin extended his congratulations to Connolly on her decisive election victory. He expressed optimism about collaborating with her as Ireland continues to engage meaningfully on the global stage, particularly in anticipation of hosting the EU presidency in the latter half of 2026.
“Catherine Connolly’s landslide victory has shown that the vision of a fair, equal, united Ireland inspires so many people. Our job is to continue fighting hard for working people, for families, for communities. To get Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of government asap and to deliver a new government for the people,” declared Mary Lou McDonald, Leader of Sinn Féin.
Although the role of the Irish president is largely ceremonial, involving representation of the country internationally and hosting visiting heads of state, it is essential to note that the president does not possess executive authority to shape laws or policies. Nonetheless, the election results have been celebrated by centre-leftist parties as a considerable shift in the landscape of Irish politics.
“We have seen a real appetite for the change that Catherine represents,” said Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik. “We believe this really does mean a new sort of politics is possible, that we can now realise the ambition that I talked about a year ago: The real prospect of a center-left-led government after the next general election.”
Voter turnout was about 46% of 3.6 million eligible voters, with nearly 214,000 invalid ballots—a tenfold increase from 2018. This emphasises the need to re-evaluate electoral procedures, The Associated Press notes.
(This article used information from the Associated Press)
