Catherine Connolly Wins Landslide Victory to Become Ireland's 10th President

Catherine Connolly has been elected as the president of Ireland after a landslide victory, becoming the 10th person to hold the office. She successfully defeated Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys, who has since conceded the race. The final results were officially declared at Dublin Castle, where Connolly emerged victorious with an impressive 63% of the first preference votes, marking the largest in Irish presidential election history.

During her acceptance speech, Connolly, who is 68 years old and from Galway, emphasized her commitment to being an inclusive president for all. She expressed her intention to listen to the people and serve as a strong voice for peace and climate action, reflecting on the urgent challenges facing the nation.

Connolly's historic win comes at a time of significant political shifts in Ireland, where she was backed by major left-wing parties and ran as an independent candidate. Her tenure is set to focus on unity and collaboration, aiming to build upon the achievements of her predecessors while addressing contemporary issues.

Connolly, a member of the Irish parliament since 2016, is set to be inaugurated on November 11, taking over from Michael D. Higgins, who has served the maximum of two terms in office. During her campaign, Connolly called for progress and change, positioning herself as the anti-establishment candidate amid the traditional political landscape of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

Upon her election, key political figures praised Connolly's achievement, highlighting the voter mandate she received. Other parties, including Sinn Féin, expressed their support, noting the importance of this election as a call for change in Irish politics. Connolly also indicated her desire to address the question of a united Ireland during her presidency.