Catherine Connolly, a 68-year-old left-wing independent lawmaker renowned for her outspoken views on Gaza and unwavering commitment to Irish neutrality, has been elected as Ireland’s 10th president in a landslide victory. On October 25, 2025, Connolly secured 63% of the vote, handily defeating her center-right rival, former Cabinet minister Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, according to the Associated Press. The result marks a significant political moment for Ireland, as the country’s left-leaning parties united behind Connolly, signaling a possible shift in Irish politics and public sentiment.
Connolly’s triumph came after a campaign defined by her calls for diversity, peace, and social equality. In her acceptance speech at Dublin Castle, she declared, “Together, we can shape a new republic that values everybody, that values and champions diversity and that takes confidence in our own identity, our Irish language, our English language, and new people who have come to our country.” Her message resonated with many voters, particularly among the younger generation, who were drawn to her inclusive vision and willingness to challenge the status quo.
The path to the presidency was not without its twists. Connolly, a former barrister and mother of two, has served three terms as an independent lawmaker for Galway West since her election to Parliament in 2016. She made history in 2020 by becoming the first woman to serve as deputy speaker of Parliament’s lower house. Her political journey began in 1999 as a Labour Party member of Galway City Council, later ascending to mayor in 2004 before leaving Labour in 2007 to chart her own independent course.
The 2025 election was notable for its high number of invalid ballots, with some voters using their spoiled votes to protest government policy and the limited choice on offer. Turnout reached 45.9%, just slightly higher than the previous presidential election in 2018, as reported by Reuters. The only other major candidate, Heather Humphreys, was not Fine Gael’s first choice and entered the race after Fianna Fáil’s candidate, former Gaelic football coach Jim Gavin, withdrew due to a financial scandal. Gavin’s name remained on the ballot, ultimately garnering 7% of first-preference votes, and the electoral commission noted a “significantly higher than normal” number of spoiled ballots as a result.
Connolly’s outspoken views have drawn both admiration and controversy. She is well-known for her staunch support of Palestinians and her criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza. In September 2025, she ignited debate by describing Hamas as “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people,” a comment that prompted criticism from Prime Minister Micheál Martin for her perceived reluctance to condemn the militant group’s actions during the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Connolly later clarified her position, stating she “utterly condemned” Hamas’s actions while also accusing Israel of committing what she called a genocide in Gaza. Speaking to the BBC, she emphasized that Gaza was “top of the list” of concerns among voters she canvassed.
Her foreign policy positions extend beyond the Middle East. Connolly has repeatedly criticized the European Union’s increasing militarization in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, drawing historical comparisons to Nazi-era armament in the 1930s and questioning the wisdom of NATO’s expansion eastward. She has also voiced concerns that these stances could risk alienating Ireland’s traditional allies, including the U.S. and U.K. Nonetheless, Connolly remains steadfast in her belief that Ireland must defend its tradition of military neutrality. During her campaign, she advocated for a referendum on the government’s plan to remove the “triple lock”—the conditions restricting the deployment of Irish soldiers on international missions—insisting that such a fundamental shift should be decided directly by the people.
Connolly’s victory is widely seen as a boost for Ireland’s left-wing alliance, which includes Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, and the Social Democrats. Sinn Féin, the country’s largest left-wing party, chose not to field its own candidate, instead throwing its support behind Connolly. Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik celebrated the outcome, stating, “We have seen a real appetite for the change that Catherine represents. We believe this really does mean a new sort of politics is possible, that we can now realise the ambition that I talked about a year ago: The real prospect of a centre-left-led government after the next general election.”
Political analysts, however, caution that the unity displayed by the left in the presidential race may be harder to maintain in the forthcoming parliamentary elections, where competition between parties is likely to intensify. An Ireland Thinks polling-day survey found that only 51% of Connolly voters would necessarily support a left-wing alliance in a general election, underscoring the complexities of translating presidential momentum into legislative power.
The Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, with modest constitutional powers. The president serves as a figurehead, representing Ireland on the global stage, welcoming foreign dignitaries, and signing bills into law. While the president is named the supreme commander of the armed forces, actual defense policy remains firmly in the hands of the government. The role does, however, carry some discretionary authority, such as referring bills to the Supreme Court or a referendum, and refusing to dissolve the lower house of parliament under certain circumstances.
Outgoing president Michael D. Higgins, who served two seven-year terms since 2011, was himself known for his vocal stances on issues like the war in Gaza and NATO spending. Connolly has pledged to respect the limits of her office but has also stated she will “speak when it’s necessary,” signaling her intention to use the platform to advocate for peace, diversity, and social justice.
Beyond her positions on neutrality and Gaza, Connolly has expressed a desire to promote Irish unity. She has stated that she would make Northern Ireland the first place she visits in an official capacity as president, and she hopes to see Irish unity realized within her lifetime. Her background—growing up in social housing in Galway as one of 14 children, losing her mother at a young age, and working her way through university to become a lawyer—adds a personal dimension to her political narrative, one that many Irish voters found compelling.
As Ireland’s new president prepares to take office, the nation finds itself at a crossroads, with voters signaling both a desire for change and a commitment to long-held traditions. Connolly’s presidency will be closely watched, not only for how she navigates the ceremonial duties of the role but also for how her voice shapes the national and international conversation on issues that matter deeply to the Irish people.
With a mandate rooted in inclusivity and a promise to “build on our policy of neutrality,” Catherine Connolly’s election marks a new chapter in Ireland’s political life—one that may well redefine what it means to be the conscience of the nation.
