Catherine Connolly smiles to supporters after being elected as the brand new president of Eire at Dublin Fort on Saturday.
Peter Morrison/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Peter Morrison/AP
LONDON — Eire’s president for the following seven years is an unbiased lawmaker who has lengthy spoken in assist of Palestinians and has been vocal about her mistrust of European Union insurance policies.
Left-wing unbiased Catherine Connolly, 68, secured 63% of votes in a landslide election victory on Saturday, comfortably defeating her center-right rival, former Cupboard minister Heather Humphreys.
The politician received after Eire’s left-leaning opposition events, together with Sinn Féin, united to again her, and she or he is anticipated to be a voice unafraid to problem Eire’s center-right authorities.
Whereas Irish presidents maintain a largely ceremonial function and would not have govt powers like shaping legal guidelines, they symbolize Eire on the world stage and are sometimes seen as a unifying voice on main points. Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, a well-liked president who has been vocal in regards to the struggle in Gaza and NATO spending, amongst different issues.
Connolly vowed Saturday to be “an inclusive president” who would champion range and be “a voice for peace.”
A have a look at Connolly’s background and views:
From unbiased lawmaker to president
Connolly, a mom to 2 sons, has served three phrases as an unbiased lawmaker for Galway West since she was elected to Parliament in 2016. In 2020, she turned the primary lady to be the deputy speaker of Parliament’s decrease home.
Catherine Connolly meets supporters at Dublin Fort on Saturday.
Niall Carson/AP
disguise caption
toggle caption
Niall Carson/AP
She grew up in social housing in a suburb of Galway in western Eire as one in every of 14 youngsters. Her mom died when she was 9 years previous, and her father labored at an area shipyard. As a scholar, she volunteered with a Catholic group to assist older individuals and took on different neighborhood roles.
She has levels in medical psychology and legislation, and was a lawyer earlier than she entered politics.
Connolly started her political profession when she was elected as a Labour Celebration member of Galway Metropolis Council in 1999. 5 years later, she was elected mayor of town of Galway. She left Labour in 2007.
Outspoken views in opposition to Israel and the EU
Connolly has not shied from criticizing Israel over the struggle in Gaza.
In September, she drew fireplace for calling Hamas “a part of the material of the Palestinian individuals.” Prime Minister Micheál Martin criticized her for showing reluctant to sentence the militant group’s actions within the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel that ignited the two-year Israel-Hamas struggle in Gaza.
She later maintained that she “completely condemned” Hamas’ actions, whereas additionally criticizing Israel for finishing up what she known as a genocide in Gaza.
On Europe, she has repeatedly criticized the European Union for its rising “militarization” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawn comparisons with Nazi-era armament within the Nineteen Thirties, and questioned NATO enlargement within the east. Critics have mentioned these feedback, together with others crucial of the U.S. and U.Okay., danger alienating Eire’s allies.
Connolly has additionally confused she needs to defend Eire’s custom of navy neutrality, within the face of requires the nation to contribute extra to European protection. Throughout her marketing campaign, she mentioned there must be a referendum on a authorities plan to take away the “triple lock” — the circumstances for the deployment of Irish troopers on worldwide missions.
Connolly’s outspoken fashion and message of social equality and inclusivity have appealed to many, particularly youthful voters. In televised presidential debates, she has mentioned she’s going to respect the boundaries of the workplace — although she additionally mentioned in her acceptance speech that she would communicate “when it’s a necessity” as president.
“Collectively, we will form a brand new republic that values all people, that values and champions range and that takes confidence in our personal id, our Irish language, our English language, and new individuals who have come to our nation,” she mentioned Saturday at Dublin Fort.
