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irelandPresident for the next seven years is an independent legislator who has long spoken in support of Palestinians and has been vocal about her disbelief European Union Policies.
Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, 68, won a landslide election victory on Saturday with 63% of the vote, easily defeating her centre-right rival, former Cabinet minister Heather Humphries.
The politician’s victory came after Ireland’s left-leaning opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, united in support and is expected to become a bold voice in challenging Ireland’s centre-right government.
Whereas irish The President plays a largely ceremonial role and does not have executive powers such as shaping laws, representing Ireland on the world stage and is often seen as a unifying voice on major issues. Connolly replaces Michael D. Higgins, a popular president who has been outspoken about the war Gaza and NATO spending, among other things.
Connolly vowed Saturday to be “an inclusive president” who will support diversity and be “a voice for peace.”
A look at Connolly’s background and ideas:
From independent MLA to President
Connolly, a mother of two sons, has served three terms as an independent MLA for Galway West since being elected to parliament in 2016. In 2020 she became the first woman to become Deputy Speaker of the lower house of parliament.
She grew up in social housing in a suburb of Galway, Western Ireland, as one of 14 children. Her mother died when she was nine and her father worked in a local shipyard. As a student, she volunteered at a Catholic organization to help older people and took on other community roles.
She has degrees in clinical psychology and law, and was a lawyer before entering politics.
Connolly began her political career when she was elected as a Labor Party member of Galway City Council in 1999. Five years later, she was elected mayor of Galway city. He left the Labor Party in 2007.
Outspoken views against Israel and EU
Connolly has not shied away from criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza.
In September he drew criticism for calling Hamas “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.” Prime Minister Michael Martin criticized him for appearing reluctant to condemn the terrorist group’s actions in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which ignited the two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
He later said that he “utterly condemned” the actions of Hamas, while also criticizing Israel for carrying out the massacre in Gaza.
In the case of Europe, he has repeatedly criticized the EU for increasing “militarization” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawing comparisons with Nazi-era weapons of the 1930s, and questioning NATO expansion to the east. Critics have said those comments, along with other comments criticizing the US and Britain, risk alienating Ireland’s allies.
Connolly has also stressed that she wants to protect Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality, in the face of calls for the country to contribute more to European defence. During his campaign, he said there should be a referendum on government plans to remove the “triple lock” – the conditions for the deployment of Irish troops on international missions.
Connolly’s outspoken style and message of social equality and inclusivity has attracted many people, especially young voters. In televised presidential debates, she has said that she would respect the limits of the office – although she also said in her acceptance speech that she would speak out as president “when necessary”.
“Together, we can shape a new republic that values everyone, that values and champions diversity and that believes in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language and the new people who come to our country,” he said in Dublin Castle on Saturday.