Catherine Connolly Elected President of Ireland in Landslide Victory

Catherine Connolly, a veteran left-wing politician, was elected president of Ireland yesterday in a decisive victory, signaling a potential shift in the country’s political landscape.

Official results showed Connolly secured 63 percent of first-preference votes after ineligible ballots were excluded, significantly outpacing her rival Heather Humphreys of the center-right Fine Gael party, who received 29 percent. The Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, but the role carries significant moral authority and represents Ireland on the world stage. Connolly, 68, is a former clinical psychologist and barrister who served as a deputy speaker in the Irish legislature.

The election was marked by debate over Connolly’s past comments regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In September, she described Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people,” drawing criticism from Prime Minister Micheál Martin. While she later stated she “utterly condemned” Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks, she has also accused Israel of carrying out a “genocide” in Gaza – a claim Israel vehemently rejects – and referred to Israel as a “terrorist state” in a video shared on her campaign’s Facebook page. These views, well to the left of mainstream Irish politics, resonated with younger voters and contributed to her momentum. For more on the ongoing conflict, see the United Nations’ coverage of the situation.

Prime Minister Martin congratulated Connolly on her “very comprehensive election victory” and stated his government looks forward to working with her as Ireland prepares to hold the EU presidency in the second half of 2026. A record 13 percent of voters spoiled their ballots, potentially reflecting dissatisfaction with the candidates and a call for reform of the nomination process.

Connolly will be Ireland’s 10th president and the third woman to hold the office, and officials anticipate she will bring a distinctly independent voice to the role.