Connolly Wins Irish Presidential Election Landslide

Independent TD Catherine Connolly won a landslide to become Ireland’s tenth president, taking 63% of the vote (spoiled ballots excluded) versus Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys on about 29%, with the result clear from the first counts. The contest was shaped by the collapse of Jim Gavin’s candidacy — he withdrew but remained on the ballot and took about 7% — and by criticism of Fianna Fáil’s candidate selection and a series of gaffes that left the party bruised. Poor performances by both government parties intensified doubts about Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin’s future, with senior figures saying momentum is building for a leadership challenge ahead of Ireland’s EU presidency next year. A notable number of spoiled ballots and “spoil the vote” sentiment at counts were read as signs of voter disenchantment. Local politicians widely celebrated Connolly’s decisive victory, which observers describe as a rebuke to the establishment amid wider frustration over issues such as the housing crisis.