Catherine Connolly was elected President of Ireland after a landslide victory.
She became the 10th president of the Republic of Ireland, defeating Fine Gael’s Heather Humphreys, who had already conceded to her rival.
The result, which had long been clear from the initial tally, was officially declared at Dublin Castle.
Connolly, an independent lawmaker who received support from major left-wing parties, pledged in his acceptance speech to be “a president who embraces all.”
The 68-year-old from Galway has been a TD (Member of the Irish Parliament) since 2016.
She will become the 10th President of the United States, succeeding Michael D Higgins, who served the maximum of two terms.
Connolly secured 914,143 votes (63%), the most in Irish presidential election history.
She gave her acceptance speech first in Irish and then in English.
“I will become a president who listens, reflects, and speaks when necessary,” he said.
“I will be a voice for peace, a voice based on policies of neutrality, a voice that makes clear the existential threat posed by climate change, and a voice that recognizes the tremendous work being done across the country.”
Dublin correspondent Gabija Gataveckaite said Connolly was the anti-establishment candidate chosen by the government to replace Humphreys.
She said that in recent weeks Connolly had insisted his campaign was a ‘movement’ and that he now had a clear mandate from the people.
ReutersHumphreys, who spoke after Connolly, thanked everyone who voted for her, her campaign team and Fine Gael for shortlisting her.
“I know Catherine will be a president for all of us. Catherine will be my president and I want to wish her well. This evening is her evening,” she said.
The President of Ireland is the head of state. They represent the country abroad, take center stage at major national events, and are responsible for ensuring that the constitution, the set of rules for government and politics, is followed.
Although the president’s powers are limited, the influence of public officials can be enormous.
Connolly is scheduled to take office on November 11, and Higgins will leave office the day before.
‘A woman with a very independent mind’
Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheál Martin said the “outstanding honor” had been bestowed on Connolly.
“The people spoke loudly and gave Catherine a huge majority and very clear mandate,” he said.
Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister of Ireland) Simon Harris said, “The greatest strength of this country is that we live in a lasting democracy.
“We have an election, and we proudly come together to follow the winner of the election, using hammer and tongs.”
He previously acknowledged high levels of voting fraud, saying “people are going to great lengths to mess with ballots.”
Sinn Féin, the main opposition party in the Irish Parliament, backed Connolly after deciding not to run its own candidate.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald described the result as a “remarkable victory” and said Connolly needed his party’s support in his presidential campaign.
Speaking at Dublin Castle on Saturday, MacDonald said: “This is a victory for the United Opposition over the tired, tired politics of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.”
“Sinn Féin, as the largest political party, was naturally an important element of the campaign.
“And Catherine has argued, quite correctly, that she is an independent candidate, a very independent-minded woman.”
Connolly has sought to position himself as the candidate for a united Ireland and has said he would like to see a border poll on the island of Ireland during his seven-year term.
Northern Ireland’s Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill said the victory marked “an era of hope.”
“This election has shown what can be achieved when political parties committed to change and progress work together for a common purpose,” she said.
“It is a clear path to a better, more integrated future.”
