Connolly set to be Ireland's next president after rival concedes defeat

"Catherine Connolly, a pro-Palestine, left-wing candidate, is on course for a landslide victory as vote counting continues. Left-wing independent candidate Catherine Connolly is set to become Ireland's next president after her rival conceded defeat. Vote counting in the presidential election was still under way on Saturday, but Heather Humphreys of the centre-right Fine Gael party told reporters she wanted to congratulate Catherine Connolly on becoming the next president of Ireland. list of 3 itemsend of list 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, Humphreys said."

"Connolly, a former barrister and independent lawmaker since 2016, has been outspoken in criticising Israel over its war in Gaza and has garnered the backing of a range of left-leaning parties, including Sinn Fein, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats. Her campaign was especially popular among young people, who approved of her strong pro-Palestine stance and her commitment to social justice, among other issues."

"Connolly and Humphreys were the only contenders after Jim Gavin, the candidate for Prime Minister Micheal Martin's Fianna Fail party, quit the race three weeks before the election over a long-ago financial dispute. Martin had backed Gavin in the race. While Irish presidents represent the country on the world s"

Catherine Connolly is set to become Ireland's next president after her rival conceded, with vote counting continuing across 43 constituencies. Heather Humphreys, the centre‑right Fine Gael candidate, publicly congratulated Connolly and wished her well. Deputy Prime Minister Simon Harris also offered support and called Connolly a president for all the country. Connolly, 68, is a former barrister and independent lawmaker since 2016 known for criticising Israel over its war in Gaza. She received backing from Sinn Féin, the Labour Party and the Social Democrats and drew strong support from younger voters for her pro‑Palestine stance and social justice focus. Only two contenders remained after Jim Gavin withdrew three weeks earlier.

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