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Catherine Connolly has been elected as the president of Ireland after a landslide victory.
She has become the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland after defeating Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, who had already conceded to her rival.
The result, long clear from early tallies, was officially declared at Dublin Castle.
Connolly – an independent who was backed by the major left-wing parties – pledged to be “an inclusive president for all” in her acceptance speech.
The 68-year-old, from Galway, has been a TD (member of the Irish parliament) since 2016 and previously worked as a psychologist and barrister.
She will be the country’s 10th president, taking over from Michael D Higgins who has served the maximum two terms in office
Connolly secured 914,143 first preference votes (63%), the largest amount in Irish presidential election history.
She made her acceptance speech first in Irish and then in English.
“I will be a president who listens and reflects and who speaks when it’s necessary,” she said.
“I will be a voice for peace, a voice that builds on our policy of neutrality, a voice that articulates the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognises the tremendous work being done the length and breadth of the country.”
When spoilt votes were excluded, Humphreys won 29% of first preference votes, while Fianna Fail’s Jim Gavin, who withdrew from the race but remained on the ballot paper, won 7% first preference votes.
There were 213,738 spoiled votes, an unprecedented amount, and a turnout of 46%.
Humphreys, who spoke after Connolly, thanked everyone who voted for her, her campaign team and Fine Gael for the nomination.
“I know Catherine will be a president for all of us. Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well, this is her evening,” she said.
The president of Ireland is the country’s head of state. They represent the country abroad, take centre stage at major national events, and are responsible for ensuring that the constitution – the set of rules for government and politics – is followed.
While the president’s powers are limited, the office-holder’s influence can be profound.
