**Catherine Connolly Set to Become Ireland’s Next President Following Rival’s Concession**
Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly is poised to become Ireland’s next president after her rival conceded defeat in the country’s presidential election on Saturday.
While vote counting was still underway, Heather Humphreys of the center-right party Fine Gael addressed reporters, saying, “I want to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next president of Ireland. Catherine will be a president for all of us and she will be my president, and I really would like to wish her all the very, very best.”
Polls throughout the campaign had shown consistent and strong voter support for 68-year-old Connolly over 64-year-old Humphreys. The presidency in Ireland is largely a ceremonial role, but it holds significant constitutional importance.
A former barrister, Connolly has been an independent lawmaker since 2016 and has been outspoken in criticizing Israel over the war in Gaza. She has received backing from various left-leaning parties, including Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, and the Social Democrats.
The election featured only two contenders after Jim Gavin, the candidate for Prime Minister Micheál Martin’s Fianna Fáil party, withdrew three weeks before the vote due to a long-ago financial dispute. Although Gavin ceased campaigning, his name remained on the ballot due to the timing of his withdrawal. Martin had personally endorsed Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s presidential candidate.
While Irish presidents represent the country on the global stage, host visiting heads of state, and hold important constitutional responsibilities, they do not possess the authority to shape laws or government policies.
Ivana Bacik, leader of the Irish Labour Party, praised Connolly’s candidacy, saying she has united parties “with an alternative vision.” Bacik added that left-wing parties could now explore ways to “combine together” and “offer a real alternative” in the next general election.
Humphreys, a former cabinet minister, positioned herself as a center-ground, pro-business, pro-EU candidate committed to promoting unity.
Other potential candidates, including musician Bob Geldof and former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, expressed interest in running for president but failed to secure sufficient nominations.
The winner of the election will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has served as president since 2011 and completed the maximum two seven-year terms.
Whichever candidate wins—Connolly or Humphreys—will become Ireland’s 10th president and only the third woman to hold the office.
Counting of voting slips was conducted manually, and the final result was expected to be declared later on Saturday after all 43 electoral constituencies completed their counts.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ireland-catherine-connolly-set-to-be-president-after-rival-concedes-election/
