Ireland’s president elect is a left-wing, anti-establishment figure who is outspoken on Gaza
Ireland’s president for the next seven years is an independent MP who has long said he supports the Palestinians and expressed distrust of European Union policies.
Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, 68, won 63% of the vote in a landslide election victory on Saturday, easily defeating centre-right rival former Cabinet minister Heather Humphreys.
The politician won as Ireland’s left-leaning opposition parties, including Sinn Féin, rallied to support him and is expected to be a voice unafraid to challenge Ireland’s centre-right government.
Although Irish presidents have a largely ceremonial role and do not have executive powers such as shaping laws, they represent Ireland on the world stage and are often seen as a unifying voice on important issues. Connolly will replace Michael D. Higgins, a popular president who has been vocal about the war in Gaza and NATO spending, among other things.
Connolly vowed on Saturday to be an “inclusive president” who would champion diversity and be a “voice of peace.”
A look at Connolly’s background and views:
From independent MP to president
Connolly, a mother of two boys, has served three terms as an independent MP 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.
He grew up as one of 14 children in social housing in the Galway suburb in western Ireland. His mother died when he was nine and his father worked in a local shipyard. As a student, he volunteered with a Catholic organization to help older people and took on other roles in the community.
He has degrees in clinical psychology and law and was a lawyer before entering politics.
Connolly began his political career in 1999 by being elected as a member of the Labor Party’s Galway City Council. Five years later, he was elected mayor of the city of Galway. He left the Labor Party in 2007.
Outspoken views against Israel and the EU
Connolly did not hesitate to criticize Israel for the war in Gaza.
He came under fire in September for calling Hamas “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.” Prime Minister Micheál Martin criticized him for appearing reluctant to condemn the militant group’s actions in the October 7, 2023 Israeli offensive that sparked the two-year Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
He later claimed to “totally condemn” the actions of Hamas and also criticized Israel for what he called genocide in Gaza.
On Europe, he has repeatedly criticized the European Union for its increased “militarization” following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, made comparisons with Nazi-era weapons in the 1930s, and questioned NATO’s eastern expansion. Critics said the comments risked alienating Ireland’s allies, along with critics of the US and UK.
Connolly also stressed that he wanted to defend Ireland’s tradition of military neutrality, despite calls for Ireland to contribute more to European defence. During his campaign he said there should be a referendum on a government plan to remove the “triple lock” – conditions under which Irish soldiers are deployed on international missions.
Connolly’s outspoken style and message of social equality and inclusion appealed to many, especially young voters. He said he would respect the limits of the office during the televised presidential debates, but he also said in his acceptance speech that he would speak “when necessary” as president.
“Together we can shape a new republic that values everyone, that values and supports diversity, that is confident in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language and the new people coming to our country,” he said in a speech at Dublin Castle on Saturday.
