Ireland has elected independent politician Catherine Connolly as its 10th President, marking a historic and decisive victory. Official results show Connolly secured 63.36% of first-preference votes, making it a landslide win in the presidential election held on Friday.
The 68-year-old leader, supported by several Left-wing parties including Sinn Féin, defeated Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, who received 29.46% of the votes. Humphreys congratulated Connolly even before the final count, calling her “a President for all of us.”
Connolly, a sitting Member of Parliament representing Galway West since 2016, previously worked as a psychologist and barrister. In 2020, she made history by becoming the first woman Deputy Speaker of Ireland’s Lower House (Dáil Éireann).
She will take office next month, succeeding Michael D. Higgins, who is completing his second consecutive term after 14 years in the presidency.
During her campaign, Connolly pledged to respect the constitutional boundaries of the presidency — a statement seen as her commitment to maintaining balance while still advocating for social justice. Though she entered the race as a marginal candidate, her campaign gained momentum after the Labour Party and Sinn Féin endorsed her, following support from the Social Democrats and People Before Profit.
Her victory, while symbolically powerful, also serves as a political message — a rebuke to Ireland’s centre-right government and an affirmation of growing Left-wing influence.
Outgoing President Higgins congratulated Connolly over a phone call, assuring her of his office’s full support during the transition period.
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