Left-wing independent Catherine Connolly on Saturday won the race to be Ireland’s new president, comfortably beating her centrist opponent in a contest marred by record numbers of spoilt ballots.
Connolly, 68, secured more than 63 percent of the votes, well ahead of Heather Humphreys of the Fine Gael party on 29.5 percent, according to the official count.
However, the seemingly comprehensive victory was marred by the number of spoilt votes and criticism over the lack of right-wing candidates, amid frustration over issues including immigration and crime.
Photo: AFP
About 13 percent of the 1.65 million ballots cast were “invalid,” a record in a modern Irish elections.
“It will be an absolute privilege to serve you,” Connolly said in her acceptance speech at the count declaration.
The lawyer is an outspoken critic of the US and the EU.
“For those who didn’t vote for me and those who spoilt their votes: Let me tell you, I will be an inclusive president to listen to all of you,” she said.
She vowed to be “a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality” as well as a “voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change.”
Connolly’s election to a role with limited political power could nonetheless herald an era of increased friction between Ireland’s largely ceremonial presidency and government.
Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin — who heads Fianna Fail, the larger party in Ireland’s power-sharing coalition with Fine Gael — had earlier congratulated her for an “impactful campaign.”
“I look forward to working with the new president... as Ireland continues to play a significant role on the global stage,” he said.
Conservative figures had urged voters to mar their voting paper in protest at the two-horse race and other issues.
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