Catherine Connolly has been elected as the president of Ireland, marking a significant moment in the country’s political landscape. She becomes the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland by winning against Heather Humphreys of the Fine Gael party, who conceded defeat prior to the official announcement of the results at Dublin Castle.
The election results were evident early in the counting process, with Connolly securing an unprecedented 914,143 first preference votes, representing 63% of the total votes cast, the highest in the history of Irish presidential elections. Connolly, 68, hails from Galway and has been serving as a TD (member of parliament) since 2016. Her professional background includes roles as a psychologist and barrister.
In her acceptance speech, she emphasized her commitment to being “an inclusive president for all” and articulated a vision centered on listening, reflecting, and addressing critical issues facing Ireland. Connolly highlighted her intent to speak on themes such as peace, neutrality, and the threat of climate change.
Following her speech, Humphreys expressed gratitude to her supporters and acknowledged Connolly’s victory, stating, “Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well.”
The presidency in Ireland serves as the head of state, with responsibilities that include representing the country internationally and overseeing adherence to the constitution. Although the powers of the president are limited, the role often carries significant influence within the nation.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gk2kml122o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss