SHOTLIST:

DUBLIN, IRELAND (OCT. 25, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL)

1. SIGN OF RDS COUNT CENTRE

2. VARIOUS OF ELECTION OFFICIALS COUNTING VOTES DUBLIN, IRELAND - OCT. 25: Vote counting began at the RDS Centre in Dublin on Saturday, Oct. 25, for Ireland’s presidential election.

Election officials, along with party representatives, are overseeing the process as ballot boxes from across the country are checked, verified, and prepared for counting.

Independent left-wing candidate Catherine Connolly appeared on course to become Ireland’s next president on Saturday, as early tallies from across the country indicated a sweeping victory over government-backed candidate Heather Humphreys.

Unofficial tallies from multiple constituencies, including Dublin, Galway, Donegal, Clare, Meath, and Waterford, showed Connolly leading by wide margins, in some areas winning two-thirds of first-preference votes.

In Donegal, early counts placed her at 75%, while in Waterford she led with 59%, according to state broadcaster RTE.

If confirmed, Connolly’s victory would mark the first time in modern Irish history that a left-wing candidate secured the presidency on first preferences and would serve as a major rebuke to the ruling Fine Gael–Fianna Fáil coalition.

“People are speaking with a very loud voice in support of those values today,” said Paul Murphy, a member of parliament from the Solidarity–People Before Profit alliance, who described Connolly’s expected win as “the biggest margin of any presidential candidate ever.”

Aoife McGowan, national coordinator of the Youth for Connolly campaign, said the 68-year-old lawmaker from Galway had inspired a new generation of voters. “Many students were excited to get out and talk about Catherine’s candidacy,” she told RTE. “She has a vision for a new and more progressive Ireland.”

McGowan said Connolly’s outspoken support for Palestinian rights had played a “massive role” in mobilizing young voters.

“Even people who weren’t politically active were drawn to her because she was one of the few Irish politicians who consistently stood up for Palestine,” she said.

Connolly’s campaign gained momentum amid growing frustration over the housing crisis, cost-of-living pressures, and political scandals that have eroded trust in mainstream parties.

Backed by a coalition of left-wing movements, she positioned herself as a symbol of political renewal.

Her rival, former Cabinet Minister Heather Humphreys of Fine Gael, struggled to overcome voter anger toward the government. Humphreys was projected to top the poll only in her home constituency of Cavan–Monaghan, where she garnered 59% of votes.

Election officials also reported an unusually high number of spoiled ballots, estimated at more than 10% in some areas.

Connolly, a former clinical psychologist and barrister, will succeed Michael D. Higgins as Ireland’s 10th head of state, serving a seven-year term at Aras an Uachtarain (presidential office).

The official result of the election is expected to be announced later on Saturday evening.