Ireland looks set to make a historic shift on Friday, with far-left independent Catherine Connolly leading the presidential race by a wide margin—a sharp rebuke to the country’s centre-right ruling parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
The former barrister and clinical psychologist has blasted the EU’s military buildup in response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, saying the bloc “has lost its moral compass” and that German rearmament spending was reminiscent of the 1930s.
The pro-Palestinian politician has also branded the U.S., UK and France untrustworthy over their stance on Gaza.
A poll on Thursday put the 68-year-old Connolly at 40%, compared with 25% for centre-right Fine Gael’s candidate, former government minister Heather Humphreys. Some 28% remain undecided or will not vote. Connolly’s youth support, however, was boosted by a savvy social media campaign and a viral video of her displaying football skills.
