Catherine Connolly, a left-wing politician who ran as an independent candidate, has won the Irish presidential election. The final results of the vote have not yet been finalised, but according to preliminary data, Connolly is almost twice ahead of her only rival, the candidate from the ruling Fine Gael party, Heather Humphries.
According to preliminary figures, Connolly is receiving more than 60 per cent of the vote, while Humphries is receiving less than 30 per cent. Other votes were cast for Jim Gavis, who withdrew from the election, with more than 10 per cent of voters spoiling their ballot papers.
Connolly, 68, was backed in the election by a coalition of seven opposition parties led by Sinn Féin, the largest left-wing force. Commentators point out that she holds far more left-wing views than mainstream European politics on a number of issues. She has also criticised EU rearmament plans, military aid to Ukraine, and has strongly criticised the US, NATO, and Israel over the war in Gaza.
The president in Ireland fulfils primarily ceremonial functions and does not influence government policy. Chief of Cabinet Michol Martin congratulated Connolly on her victory and expressed his willingness to co-operate with her.