Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent, was declared the winner of Ireland’s presidential election on Saturday after defeating her centrist opponent by a large margin in a battle marred by mishandled ballots.
Connolly, 68, a lawyer, legislator, and outspoken critic of both the United States and the European Union, received more than 63% of the votes, well outpacing moderate rival Heather Humphreys, who received 29.5%.
“Catherine will be a president for all of us, and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best,” Humphreys, who won 29.5 percent of the vote, had said earlier in the day.
Polls consistently showed Connolly with a sizable lead over Humphreys, 64.
Simon Harris, Deputy Prime Minister and Fine Gael leader, wished Connolly “every success” and added, “She will be President for all this country.”
“Her success will be Ireland’s success,” he posted on X.
Connolly, a former barrister and independent MP since 2016, has spoken out against Israel’s attack in Gaza and has received support from a number of left-leaning parties, including Sinn Fein, the Labour Party, and the Social Democrats.
Her candidacy was particularly popular among young people, who supported her strong pro-Palestine position and devotion to social justice, among other topics.
Connolly and Humphreys were the only contestants when Jim Gavin, the candidate for Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fáil party, dropped out three weeks before the election due to a long-standing financial dispute. Martin had supported Gavin in the contest.
While Irish presidents represent the country on a global scale, host visiting heads of state, and play a critical constitutional function, they lack the authority to create legislation or policies.
Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has been president since 2011 and has served the maximum two seven-year terms.
She will be Ireland’s tenth president and the third woman to hold the position.
