In a decisive electoral victory, independent lawmaker Catherine Connolly has been elected as Ireland’s president for the next seven years. The 68-year-old left-wing politician secured 63% of the votes in Saturday’s election, defeating her center-right opponent, former Cabinet minister Heather Humphreys. Connolly’s win was bolstered by the unified support of Ireland’s left-leaning opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, positioning her as a vocal challenger to the country’s center-right government. Although the Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, it holds significant symbolic power on the global stage, and Connolly is expected to continue the tradition of being a unifying voice on major issues. She succeeds Michael D. Higgins, a popular president known for his outspoken views on international matters such as the Gaza conflict and NATO spending. Connolly, a mother of two, has a rich political and personal background. She grew up in social housing in Galway, one of 14 children, and has degrees in clinical psychology and law. Her political career began in 1999 as a Labour Party member of Galway City Council, and she later became the city’s mayor in 2004. Connolly has been an independent lawmaker since 2007 and made history in 2020 as the first woman to serve as deputy speaker of Parliament’s lower house. Known for her outspoken views, Connolly has been a vocal critic of Israel’s actions in Gaza and the European Union’s growing militarization. She has also defended Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality, calling for a referendum on government plans to alter the conditions for deploying Irish soldiers abroad. Connolly’s campaign emphasized social equality, inclusivity, and diversity, resonating strongly with younger voters. In her acceptance speech, she vowed to be an inclusive president and a voice for peace, pledging to champion diversity and Ireland’s unique identity.
Ireland’s president elect is a left-wing, anti-establishment figure who is outspoken on Gaza
