Catherine Connolly Leads in Early Vote Counts for Irish Presidency

DUBLIN, Ireland — Independent candidate Catherine Connolly is on track to win Ireland’s presidential election in a significant lead over her opponents. Early tallies on Saturday, as two-thirds of ballots were counted, indicated that Connolly, 68, garnered 64% of the vote, according to unofficial results from tallymen at count centers.

Connolly has attracted considerable support, especially from younger voters, and is backed by an alliance of left-wing opposition parties. Her candidacy appears to represent a strong rebuke to the current center-right government, often criticized for its handling of the housing crisis and rising living costs.

The presiding presidential office is largely ceremonial, but Connolly’s potential victory signals a shift in the political landscape, as her opponent, Heather Humphreys, 62, received only 29% of the early tally. Jim Gavin, a former candidate from the Fianna Fáil party who withdrew from the race but remained on the ballot, accounted for 7% of the votes. A record 13% of ballots were deemed spoiled, indicating voter dissatisfaction with the available choices.

Connolly expressed her gratitude upon seeing the early results, saying, “I want to thank everybody, even those who didn’t vote for me. I understand their concerns regarding who will best represent them.”

Her success can be attributed to various factors, including her strong stance on key issues like housing and the cost of living crises, as well as effective use of social media platforms to engage with voters. Connolly advocates for equality and plans to maintain Irish neutrality amid global militarism, likening current military spending in Germany to historical precedents.

With her potential election, Connolly could succeed outgoing President Michael D. Higgins, who has held the office since 2011. The final votes will be tallied, and official results are expected later in the day.