Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly to becomeIrelandnext president after his rival admitted defeat in the country’s presidential election on Saturday.

Vote counting was still underway, but before the official result was announced, Heather Humphreys of the centre-right Fine Gael party told reporters that she “wanted to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next president of Ireland”.

“Catherine will be the president of all of us and she will be my president, and I would really like to wish her all the best,” he said.

Polls have suggested strong and consistent voter support for Connolly, 68, over rival Humphreys, 64, for the presidency, a largely ceremonial role in Ireland.

Connolly, a former lawyer and independent legislator since 2016, has openly criticized Israel for the was in gaza.

He has won the support of a number of left-wing parties, including Sinn Feinthe Labor Party and the Social Democrats.

She and Humphreys were the only contenders after Jim Gavin, the Micheál Fianna Fail party’s candidate for prime minister, dropped out of the race three weeks before the election due to a long-running financial dispute.

Martin, who heads Ireland’s government, had personally backed Gavin as a presidential candidate. Although Gavin had stopped campaigning, his name remains on the ballot due to his late withdrawal from the race.

While Irish presidents represent the country on the world stage, host visiting heads of state and play an important constitutional role, they do not have the power to make laws or policies.

The leader of the Irish Labor Party said Connolly has united parties “with an alternative vision.”

Ivana Bacik said left-wing parties could now study how they can “come together” and “offer a real alternative” in the next general election.

Humphreys, a former cabinet minister, has stressed that she is a centrist, pro-business and pro-EU candidate who will fight for unity.

Others, including musician bob geldof and former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, had indicated they wanted to run for president, but did not receive enough support for a nomination.

The winner will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has been president since 2011, after serving two maximum seven-year terms. Connolly or Humphreys will be the tenth president of Ireland and the third woman to hold the office.

The voting ballots were counted by hand. The final result will be announced later on Saturday once all 43 electoral districts across the country have completed the recount.