Catherine Connolly, a 68-year-old independent lawmaker known for her left-wing and pro-Palestinian views, has been elected President of Ireland with a decisive 63% of the vote.
Connolly defeated former cabinet minister Heather Humphreys after Ireland’s left-leaning parties united behind her. She succeeds Michael D. Higgins, pledging to be “a voice for peace and inclusion.”
Born in Galway as one of 14 children, Connolly rose from modest beginnings to become the first female deputy speaker of Parliament. She holds degrees in psychology and law and previously served as Galway’s mayor.
She has drawn controversy for calling Hamas “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people” and for criticizing the EU’s “militarization” after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While she later condemned Hamas’s October 7 attack, she accused Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza.
Connolly says she’ll defend Ireland’s military neutrality and may call for a referendum on troop deployment policy.
Her victory signals a growing shift in Ireland’s politics — toward social equality, skepticism of EU defense policies, and vocal support for Palestinian rights.
