Catherine Connolly smiles to supporters after being elected as the brand new president of Eire at Dublin Citadel on Saturday.
Peter Morrison/AP
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Peter Morrison/AP
LONDON — Eire’s president for the subsequent seven years is an unbiased lawmaker who has lengthy spoken in help of Palestinians and has been vocal about her mistrust of European Union insurance policies.
Left-wing unbiased Catherine Connolly, 68, secured 63% of votes in a landslide election victory on Saturday, comfortably defeating her center-right rival, former Cupboard minister Heather Humphreys.
The politician gained after Eire’s left-leaning opposition events, together with Sinn Féin, united to again her, and he or she is predicted to be a voice unafraid to problem Eire’s center-right authorities.
Whereas Irish presidents maintain a largely ceremonial position and wouldn’t have govt powers like shaping legal guidelines, they signify Eire on the world stage and are sometimes seen as a unifying voice on main points. Connolly will succeed Michael D. Higgins, a well-liked president who has been vocal concerning the conflict in Gaza and NATO spending, amongst different issues.
Connolly vowed Saturday to be “an inclusive president” who would champion variety and be “a voice for peace.”
A take a look at Connolly’s background and views:
From unbiased lawmaker to president
Connolly, a mom to 2 sons, has served three phrases as an unbiased lawmaker for Galway West since she was elected to Parliament in 2016. In 2020, she grew to become the primary lady to be the deputy speaker of Parliament’s decrease home.
Catherine Connolly meets supporters at Dublin Citadel on Saturday.
Niall Carson/AP
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Niall Carson/AP
She grew up in social housing in a suburb of Galway in western Eire as one in every of 14 youngsters. Her mom died when she was 9 years previous, and her father labored at an area shipyard. As a scholar, she volunteered with a Catholic group to assist older folks and took on different neighborhood roles.
She has levels in scientific psychology and legislation, and was a lawyer earlier than she entered politics.
Connolly started her political profession when she was elected as a Labour Get together member of Galway Metropolis Council in 1999. 5 years later, she was elected mayor of the town of Galway. She left Labour in 2007.
Outspoken views towards Israel and the EU
Connolly has not shied from criticizing Israel over the conflict in Gaza.
In September, she drew hearth for calling Hamas “a part of the material of the Palestinian folks.” Prime Minister Micheál Martin criticized her for showing reluctant to sentence the militant group’s actions within the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel that ignited the two-year Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza.
She later maintained that she “completely condemned” Hamas’ actions, whereas additionally criticizing Israel for finishing up what she referred to as a genocide in Gaza.
On Europe, she has repeatedly criticized the European Union for its rising “militarization” following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, drawn comparisons with Nazi-era armament within the Thirties, and questioned NATO growth within the east. Critics have stated these feedback, together with others vital of the U.S. and U.Ok., threat alienating Eire’s allies.
Connolly has additionally confused she desires to defend Eire’s custom of navy neutrality, within the face of requires the nation to contribute extra to European protection. Throughout her marketing campaign, she stated there needs to be a referendum on a authorities plan to take away the “triple lock” — the situations for the deployment of Irish troopers on worldwide missions.
Connolly’s outspoken fashion and message of social equality and inclusivity have appealed to many, particularly youthful voters. In televised presidential debates, she has stated she’s going to respect the bounds of the workplace — although she additionally stated in her acceptance speech that she would converse “when it is necessary” as president.
“Collectively, we will form a brand new republic that values all people, that values and champions variety and that takes confidence in our personal identification, our Irish language, our English language, and new individuals who have come to our nation,” she stated Saturday at Dublin Citadel.
