Catherine Connolly, who secured the backing of Ireland’s left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, has won the country’s presidential election in a landslide victory against her center-right rival.
Official results showed strong voter support for Connolly as president, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland. She won 63% of first-preference votes once spoiled votes were excluded, compared to 29% of her rival, Heather Humphreys, of the center-right party, Fine Gael.
Connolly, 68, said Saturday evening at Dublin Castle that she would champion diversity and be a voice for peace and one that “builds on our policy of neutrality.”
“I would be an inclusive president for all of you, and I regard it as an absolute honor,” she said.
Humphreys conceded she had lost earlier on Saturday before vote counting had finished.
Connolly, a former barrister who has served as a lawmaker since 2016, has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza.
She has also warned against the European Union’s growing “militarization” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
AP/Jide Johnson.