Catherine Connolly Elected Ireland's 10th President in Historic Landslide Victory

Catherine Connolly, a prominent left-leaning independent candidate, has achieved a resounding victory in Ireland's presidential election, securing 63% of the first-preference votes. This decisive win positions her as the nation's 10th president, succeeding the highly popular Michael D. Higgins, whose second term concludes in November. [Original article]

Her campaign strategy, which centered on urgent domestic reforms and a strong critique of Israel's ongoing war in Gaza, deeply resonated with a significant portion of the Irish electorate. Voters, particularly those grappling with persistent economic challenges, found her platform compelling, according to the original report. [Original article]

The election, held on Friday, October 24, 2025, saw Connolly emerge victorious over her main rival, Heather Humphreys of the Fine Gael party, who conceded defeat before the final count was complete, Al Jazeera reported. This outcome marks a notable shift in Ireland's political landscape, highlighting a growing appetite for independent and left-leaning leadership.

Connolly, a former barrister and a seasoned politician from Galway, will be the third woman to hold the largely ceremonial yet constitutionally significant office. Her inauguration is scheduled for November 11, 2025, as confirmed by wikipedia.

The election also featured Jim Gavin of Fianna Fáil, who withdrew from the race on October 5 due to a financial dispute but remained on the ballot, according to pbs News. Despite his withdrawal, Gavin still garnered 7.2% of the first-preference votes, while Humphreys secured 29.5%.

Upon her victory, Connolly pledged to be an "inclusive president for all" and a "voice for peace," emphasizing her commitment to Ireland's policy of neutrality, PBS News reported. Her success is seen by many as a reflection of a desire for new political directions and a strong independent voice on both national and international stages.

Prime Minister Micheál Martin extended his congratulations, acknowledging the "very comprehensive election victory" bestowed upon her by the people of Ireland, Sky News stated. Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris also wished Connolly "every success," affirming that her success would be Ireland's success.

• Connolly's Extensive Political Journey: Catherine Connolly's political career spans nearly three decades, beginning with her election to Galway City Council in 1999 as a member of the Labour Party, as detailed by her official biography. She served as Mayor of Galway from 2004 to 2005 before leaving the Labour Party in 2006 over a candidate selection dispute. As an independent, she was elected Teachta Dála (TD) for Galway West in 2016 and made history as the first female Leas-Cheann Comhairle (Deputy Speaker) of Dáil Éireann from 2020 to 2024, according to wikipedia.

• The Irish Presidency: A Ceremonial Yet Influential Role: The President of Ireland, or Uachtarán na hÉireann, serves as the head of state and supreme commander of the Defence Forces, a role primarily ceremonial in nature, Citizens Information explains. However, the office holds significant reserve powers, including the ability to refer bills to the Supreme Court for constitutional review or to refuse a Dáil dissolution if the Taoiseach loses confidence. The President is elected for a seven-year term and can serve a maximum of two terms.

• Economic Frustrations Driving Voter Sentiment: The election occurred against a backdrop of significant economic concerns, particularly the high cost of housing, which the OECD Economic Survey of Ireland 2025 identified as a major challenge impacting foreign direct investment and talent attraction. Despite a robust labor market and projected GDP growth of 4.3% in 2025 by Bank of Ireland, voters expressed frustration over issues like housing supply-demand mismatches and fiscal reliance on a narrow corporate tax base.

• Ireland's Firm Stance on the Israel-Gaza Conflict: Ireland has a long-standing and distinct foreign policy regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, being the first EU member state to advocate for a fully sovereign Palestinian State in 1980, as noted by Ireland.ie. This position has intensified, with Ireland joining South Africa's Gaza genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice in January 2025, according to wikipedia. Israel closed its embassy in Dublin in late 2024, citing Ireland's "anti-Israel" stance, Al Jazeera reported. Connolly's strong critique of Israel's actions resonated deeply with a public that often draws parallels between Palestinian history and Ireland's own past.

• Michael D. Higgins' Enduring Legacy: Catherine Connolly succeeds Michael D. Higgins, who served two terms since 2011 and is widely regarded as one of Ireland's most popular presidents, Al Jazeera stated. Higgins notably stretched the conventions of his office by offering strong criticisms of government policy on domestic issues like the housing crisis and foreign policy, including military neutrality and support for the Palestinian cause. His presidency was marked by a commitment to social justice and a distinctive public persona, as highlighted by Breaking News.

• Evolving Political Landscape and Left-Leaning Momentum: Connolly's victory underscores a significant shift in Irish politics, moving away from the traditional dominance of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Al Jazeera noted that the 2020 general election saw Sinn Féin win the most first-preference votes, signaling a more polarized system. Connolly, supported by a coalition of left-leaning parties including Sinn Féin, Labour, and the Social Democrats, represents a growing force in Irish politics, with Labour leader Ivana Bacik suggesting her win could pave the way for a future center-left-led government, PBS News reported.

• Election Mechanics and Unprecedented Spoiled Ballots: The 2025 presidential election utilized Ireland's instant-runoff voting system, a form of proportional representation, as explained by Citizens Information. Notably, the election was characterized by an unusually high number of spoiled votes, totaling 213,738 nationwide, which was a tenfold increase compared to the 2018 presidential election, Sky News reported. This significant figure suggests a degree of voter dissatisfaction or protest within the electoral process.