Ireland's Answer to Global Populist Right

The political map of Europe has a new, defiant left-wing spot following the resounding victory of independent socialist Catherine Connolly, 68, in Ireland’s 2025 presidential election. Her only remaining opponent, Fine Gael candidate Heather Humphreys, conceded defeat on Saturday after preliminary tallies confirmed Connolly was headed for a massive landslide. This triumph represents a significant boost for left-wing politics globally at a time when traditional progressive parties are losing ground to the surging far-right across the continent.

A Leftist Victory in a Rightward-Shifting World

Connolly’s decisive win stands as a stark exception to the prevailing political direction in the United Kingdom and Europe. The continent has recently witnessed unprecedented gains for right-wing and far-right parties, who have successfully capitalised on anxieties over immigration, sovereignty, and cultural change.

The 2024 European Parliament elections saw a major breakthrough for hard-right groups. The European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) and the newly formed Patriots for Europe (PfE, successor to Identity and Democracy) collectively command a substantial presence. The ECR group holds 78 seats, while PfE holds 84 seats, giving the hard-right a combined strength of over 160 MEPs out of 720. Meanwhile, The Left group in the European Parliament holds only 46 seats.

Across national capitals, this trend is palpable. In the UK, the rise of parties like Reform UK is reshaping the right. In mainland Europe, far-right or hard-line conservative governments or coalitions hold sway in nations like Italy, Hungary, and Slovakia, and remain influential in the political discourse of France and the Netherlands.

In contrast, Connolly—an outspoken anti-establishment figure—galvanised Irish voters, particularly the youth, with her unyielding focus on social justice and calls for radical domestic reform. Early tallies indicated she was securing over 60% of the vote in many constituencies, an overwhelming margin that serves as a profound rejection of the centre-right government currently in power. The low turnout, estimated at around 40%, alongside a reported high number of spoilt ballots, however, also points to underlying voter disillusionment with the political process.

Foreign Policy Fissures and Domestic Mandates

The President-elect's political platform is unapologetically radical, promising to use the largely ceremonial role of Uachtarán na hÉireann (President of Ireland) as a vocal "moral and ethical voice."

Connolly, a staunch advocate for a united Ireland, has described Northern Ireland as a "cut-off limb" of the nation and pledged to push for a border poll on unity before the end of her term. Her most controversial stances lie in foreign policy, where her "anti-Western" socialist views may strain diplomatic relations:

Israel-Gaza: Like the retiring President Michael D. Higgins, Connolly is an aggressive critic of Israel's actions in Gaza, accusing the country of "genocide." Her popularity was significantly boosted by this stance, with nearly 80 per cent of the Irish public reportedly agreeing that Israel is committing genocide. However, her view that Hamas is “part of the fabric of the Palestinian people” has drawn heavy criticism.

NATO and Neutrality: Connolly is a staunch defender of Irish neutrality, blaming NATO "warmongering" for Vladimir Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and accusing the alliance of being part of a Western "military industrial complex." She previously faced fire for using expenses for a 2018 trip to EU-sanctioned Syria.

A Succession of the Left: Before Connolly and Higgins

Connolly will become the successor to Michael D. Higgins, who has served two terms (2011-2025) and was previously a longtime TD and Minister for the Labour Party.

Before Higgins, the most notable left-winger to hold the office was Mary Robinson, who was elected in 1990. Robinson, a human rights lawyer, was nominated by the Labour Party and the Workers’ Party and marked a watershed moment, transforming the presidency from a conservative, low-key role into an influential platform for human rights and social change. Connolly is therefore the third Irish President in the modern era to hail from the political Left.

The Woman Behind the Title: Family and Background

Catherine Martina Ann Connolly was born on July 12, 1957, in Shantalla, Galway City, and grew up in a family of 14 siblings. Her personal experience of losing her mother at the age of nine in the working-class suburb has often informed her focus on equality and the vulnerable.

She is a highly accomplished professional, trained as both a clinical psychologist and a barrister-at-law, having studied at the University of Leeds and NUI Galway. She has been married to her husband, Brian McEnery, for over 30 years and the couple have two adult sons.

Her successful campaign, which saw her ally with a broad coalition of left-wing parties—including the formidable Sinn Féin—also benefited from a clever use of social media, including viral videos that showed the grey-haired former Deputy Speaker confidently kicking a football, contrasting sharply with the traditional image of presidential candidates. Connolly will officially assume office on November 11, 2025.