LONDON– Ireland’s president for the next seven years is an independent lawmaker who has long spoken out in support of the Palestinians and openly expressed her distrust of European Union policies.
Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, 68, won 63% of the vote in a landslide election victory on Saturday, handily defeating her centre-right rival, former cabinet minister Heather Humphreys.
The politicians won after Ireland’s left-wing opposition parties, including Sinn Feinunited behind her, and is expected to be a voice that is not afraid to challenge Ireland’s centre-right government.
While Irish presidents play a largely ceremonial role and do not have executive powers such as making laws, they represent Ireland on the world stage and are often seen as a unifying voice on important issues. Connolly wants to succeed Michael Higginsa popular president who has been outspoken about the war in Gaza and NATO spending, among other things.
Connolly promised Saturday to be “an inclusive president” who would champion diversity and be “a voice for peace.”
A look at Connolly’s background and opinions:
Connolly, a mother of two, has served three terms as an independent MP for Galway West since she was elected to Parliament in 2016. In 2020 she became the first woman to be 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 years old and her father worked in a local shipyard. As a student, she volunteered with a Catholic organization to help seniors 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.
Connolly has not shied away from criticizing Israel for the war in Gaza.
In September she was criticized for calling Hamas “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people.” Prime Minister Michael Martin He criticized her for appearing reluctant to condemn the militant group’s actions in the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that ignited the Israel-Hamas spent two years in Gaza.
He later maintained that he “totally condemned” Hamas’ actions, while criticizing Israel for carrying out what he called genocide in Gaza.
As for Europe, he has repeatedly criticized the European Union for its increasing “militarization” following Russia’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawn comparisons to Nazi-era weaponry in the 1930s, and questioned NATO’s expansion in the east. Critics have said those comments, along with others critical of the United States and the United Kingdom, risk alienating Ireland’s allies.
Connolly has also stressed that he wants to defend the Irish tradition of military neutrality, against calls for the country 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” – the conditions for the deployment of Irish soldiers on international missions.
Connolly’s outspoken style and message of social equality and inclusion have appealed to many, especially younger voters. In televised presidential debates, she has said she will respect the limits of the office, although she also said in her acceptance speech that she would speak “when necessary” as president.
“Together, we can shape a new republic that values everyone, that values and defends diversity and that has confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language and the new people who have come to our country,” he said at Dublin Castle on Saturday.