Catherine Connolly has secured a resounding victory in the Irish presidential election.
Following her triumph over Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, who conceded earlier, Connolly is set to become the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland.
The official declaration of the result, anticipated from early tallies, took place at Dublin Castle.
Connolly, an independent candidate supported by major left-wing parties, pledged in her acceptance speech to serve as “an inclusive president for all.”
The 68-year-old, hailing from Galway, has been a Teachta Dála (TD), a member of the Irish parliament, since 2016.
She will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has served the maximum two terms in office.
Connolly garnered 914,143 first preference votes (63%), marking the highest number in the history of Irish presidential elections.
She delivered her acceptance speech initially in Irish, followed by English.
“I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when it’s necessary,” she stated.
“I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country.”
According to Dublin correspondent Gabija Gataveckaite, Connolly positioned herself as the anti-establishment candidate, challenging Humphreys, the government’s preferred choice.
Gataveckaite noted that Connolly had consistently framed her campaign as a “movement” in recent weeks, and has now secured a clear mandate from the electorate.
Excluding spoiled votes, Humphreys received 29% of first preference votes, while Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin, who had withdrawn from the race but remained on the ballot, secured 7%.
An unprecedented number of 213,738 spoiled votes were recorded, with a voter turnout of 46%.
Humphreys, in her address following Connolly’s, expressed gratitude to her voters, campaign team, and Fine Gael for her nomination.
“I know Catherine will be a president for all of us. Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well, this is her evening,” she affirmed.
The President of Ireland serves as the country’s head of state, representing Ireland internationally, presiding over significant national events, and ensuring adherence to the constitution.
While the president’s powers are constitutionally defined, the officeholder’s influence can be substantial.
Connolly’s inauguration is scheduled for 11 November, with Higgins concluding his term the preceding day.
Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin hailed the election as an “outstanding honour” bestowed upon Connolly.
“The people have spoken resoundingly and given Catherine a tremendous majority and a very clear mandate,” he stated.
Tánaiste (Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris commented: “The great thing about this country is that we live in enduring democracy.”
“We have an election, we go at it hammer and tongs and then we come together proudly behind the winner of the election.”
Earlier, Harris acknowledged the significant number of spoiled votes, observing that he saw “people going to quite a lot of effort to spoil their ballot.”
Sinn Féin, the primary opposition party in the Irish parliament, endorsed Connolly after opting not to field its own candidate.
Party president Mary Lou McDonald lauded the result as a “stunning victory” and acknowledged the crucial role of her party’s support in Connolly’s campaign.
Speaking at Dublin Castle, McDonald said: “It is a victory for the combined opposition over the jaded worn-out politics of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.”
“Sinn Féin as the largest political party, of course it was a significant element of the campaign.”
“And Catherine has asserted quite correctly that she is an independent candidate, a woman with a very independent mind.”
Connolly campaigned on a platform of uniting Ireland and expressed her desire to see a border poll on the island during her seven-year term.
In Northern Ireland, First Minister Michelle O’Neill hailed the victory as marking “an era of hope.”
“This election has shown what can be achieved when parties committed to change and progress work together in common purpose,” she stated.
“That is the clear pathway to a better, united future.”
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