Catherine Connolly, a veteran legislator on the far left of the Irish political spectrumwas elected president by a landslide margin on Saturday, in a harsh rebuke to the recently re-elected center-right coalition.
Connolly, 68, a long-time critic of the European Union in an Ireland that is overwhelmingly pro-EU and backed by the left-dominated oppositionwas not a household name and many underestimated him early in the race for the largely ceremonial position.
Connolly, an independent candidate, gained momentum as the campaign progressed, excited younger voters, and was elected with 63.4% of the vote.. The other candidate, former cabinet minister Heather Humphreys, won 29.5%.
“I will be a president who listens, who reflects and who speaks when necessary. Together we can shape a new republic that values everyone”Connolly said in a speech at Dublin Castle.
The president of Ireland is largely a figurehead, with little-used powers to check the constitutionality of legislationbut he often speaks on the world stage and receives other heads of state in the country.
Many of Connolly’s views – from denouncing EU plans to increase military spending to questioning the reliability of the United States, Britain and France for their stance on the Gaza war – They are far to the left of many of the parties that support her, as well as the current president, Michael D. Higgins.
The former clinical psychologist and lawyer is also one of the main pro-Palestinian voices in Parliamenta position shared by the Government and the majority of voters.
