Leftwing candidate Catherine Connolly wins Irish presidential election in landslide

Catherine Connolly, an independent leftwing candidate, has secured a decisive victory in Ireland’s presidential election, in a result that underscores growing discontent with the centre-right government.

Heather Humphreys, her main rival and former cabinet minister representing the Fine Gael party, conceded defeat on October 25 after early vote counts revealed a wide gap between the candidates, as per the Guardian.

“Catherine will be the president for all of us, and she will be my president. I really wish her all the very, very best,” Humphreys said.

Unofficial tallies from observers at counting centres indicated Connolly had won 64% of the vote after two-thirds of ballots had been counted. Humphreys, 62, trailed with 29%, while Jim Gavin, the Fianna Fáil candidate who withdrew late from the campaign but remained on the ballot, garnered 7%. Spoiled ballots accounted for around 13% of votes, marking a historic high and reflecting voter dissatisfaction with limited options. Turnout was estimated at roughly 40% of the 3.6 million eligible voters.

Connolly, 68, drew strong support from younger voters and received backing from a coalition of leftwing opposition parties. Speaking after the early tallies, she said, “I want to thank everybody, even those who didn’t vote for me. I understand their concerns about who will represent them best.”

Her success was notable even in traditional Fine Gael strongholds, including south Dublin. Analysts attributed her victory to widespread frustration over the housing crisis, the rising cost of living, missteps by the ruling Fine Gael-Fianna Fáil coalition, and the unity of leftwing parties.

Connolly also benefited from the savvy use of social media, where her podcasts, viral videos, and playful content, such as keepy-uppy. She earned endorsements from musicians and artists, including Kneecap and the Mary Wallopers.

While largely a ceremonial role, the presidency has symbolic significance. Connolly is set to succeed President Michael D. Higgins and serve a seven-year term at Áras an Uachtaráin, the official presidential residence. She speaks fluent Irish, advocates for equality, and has pledged to protect Ireland’s neutrality, criticising what she calls Western “militarism.” Connolly has compared Germany’s arms spending to the Nazi era and accused the UK and US of enabling genocide in Gaza.

A former clinical psychologist and barrister, Connolly’s campaign positioned her as a fresh voice for change, capturing the imagination of voters disillusioned with traditional party politics.

By Tamilla Hasanova