Independent leftwing candidate Catherine Connolly is expected to win Ireland's presidential election on Friday, capitalising on anger over the housing crisis and cost of living, campaign missteps by the governing coalition, and deft use of social media. The 68-year-old holds a wide lead over her establishment rival, Heather Humphreys, according to opinion polls.
At a campaign concert in Dublin, Connolly drew cheers from a youthful crowd. 'We want a republic that will never stand over the normalisation of genocide, or the normalisation of homelessness, or obscene waiting lists,' she said. Supporters praised her fresh perspective, though almost half of voters say neither candidate represents them, raising concerns about low turnout and spoilt ballots.
Connolly was born in Galway and lost her mother at age nine. She earned a master's degree in psychology from the University of Leeds and later completed a law degree, practising as both a barrister and clinical psychologist. She married, had two sons, and entered politics as a Labour councillor in 1999, serving as mayor in 2004.
Frustrated when Labour blocked her from running for the Dáil, Connolly left the party and was elected as an independent TD in 2016. In parliament, she criticised inequality and Western intervention in conflicts, visiting Syria in 2018. She became the first woman elected as deputy speaker in 2020, raising her profile.
Her views have sparked concern among European allies. She has accused Nato of warmongering, likened German arms spending to the 1930s, voted against EU treaties, and described Hamas as 'part of the fabric of the Palestinian people'. Critics compare her to Jeremy Corbyn, though supporters see her as a symbol of change.
