Left-wing, anti-Israel Connolly set to win Irish presidency as opponents concede

Catherine Connolly, a veteran lawmaker on the far left of the Irish political spectrum, was set to be elected the country’s next president on Saturday as members of the governing parties conceded defeat.

Early tallies of votes after counting began at 8 a.m. GMT showed a wide lead for Connolly, 68, an independent candidate. She is a long-time critic of the European Union in overwhelmingly pro-EU Ireland and was far from a household name at the outset.

“It does appear likely that Catherine Connolly will be elected, and we now move on to the job of working with her as a government,” Higher Education Minister James Lawless, a member of the republican Fianna Fail party, told national broadcaster RTE.

Ireland’s president is largely a figurehead, with seldom-used powers to test the constitutionality of legislation. While the role does not allow the president to shape laws or policies, past holders of the office have occasionally used it to voice opinions on key issues.

Connolly, in particular, has attracted attention for her outspoken criticism of Israel and her controversial remarks about Palestinians and Hamas. In September, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin criticized Connolly for comments that appeared reluctant to condemn Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which killed some 1,200 people and took 251 hostages, igniting the Gaza conflict.

Connolly later clarified that she “utterly condemned” Hamas’ actions, while also criticizing Israel for what she described as “genocide” in Gaza, a claim strongly rejected by Israel.

Education Minister Helen McEntee also said that it looked as though Connolly would win. Her center-right Fine Gael party’s pick, Heather Humphreys, was the only other candidate left campaigning. Fianna Fail’s candidate abandoned his bid just days into the campaign.

Labor Party leader Ivana Bacik, part of the entire left-wing opposition bloc that backed Connolly, said it was “almost certain” that Connolly would be the 10th president of Ireland.

Connolly, a former clinical psychologist and barrister, was first elected to parliament in 2016, where she has served as a deputy speaker of Ireland’s lower house.

In brief remarks to RTE at her local County Galway count center, Connolly thanked those who voted for her and said she would do her utmost to represent those who did not.

A final result will likely be declared later on Saturday.