"Connolly's campaign, backed by left-wing parties including Sinn Fein, has been especially popular among young people, who approve of her declaration that reunification with Northern Ireland is a foregone conclusion, her strong pro-Palestine stance, her commitment to social justice, and criticism of the European Union's growing militarisation. A third candidate, Fianna Fail's Jim Gavin, remains on the ballot papers despite quitting the election earlier this month over a private rent payment scandal, with critics bemoaning a lack of choice in the two-horse race."
"Ireland's voters are electing a new president, with polls indicating a win for left-wing independent Catherine Connolly, whose campaign was rocked by a last-minute deepfake video purporting to show her retreating from the race. Friday's poll, which closes at 10pm (21:00 GMT), with results expected by Saturday evening, sees Connolly competing with Heather Humphreys, of the centre-right Fine Gael party, for the largely ceremonial role, which increased in profile during the tenure of incumbent Michael D Higgins."
Ireland is electing a new president with polls indicating left-wing independent Catherine Connolly as the frontrunner. The vote closes Friday at 10pm (21:00 GMT) with results expected by Saturday evening. Connolly competes mainly with Heather Humphreys of centre-right Fine Gael for a largely ceremonial role that gained profile during Michael D Higgins's tenure. Connolly, 68, a barrister and parliamentarian since 2016, attracted strong youth support through calls for reunification, a pro-Palestine stance, social justice priorities, criticism of EU militarisation, and promotion of the Irish language. A deepfake video purporting to show her withdrawal did not end her lead, and Jim Gavin remains on ballots despite quitting over a rent scandal.
Read at www.aljazeera.com
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