By Atoyebi Nike
Ireland went to the polls on Friday to elect a new president, with left-wing independent Catherine Connolly widely expected to defeat Heather Humphreys of the ruling Fine Gael party in an election criticised for offering voters limited choice.
Connolly, 68, a barrister and parliamentarian since 2016, has surged ahead in opinion polls after a campaign that blended political grit with viral media moments, including a popular football-juggling video. Backed by Sinn Féin and other left-leaning parties, she campaigned on social justice, neutrality, and criticism of U.S. and EU policies.
Humphreys, 62, a former cabinet minister from Ireland’s small Protestant minority, ran on a message of unity but faced waning enthusiasm among voters.
The race was overshadowed by controversy after Fianna Fáil’s Jim Gavin dropped out over an unpaid rent scandal but remained on the ballot. The limited field the smallest since 1990 led to calls from conservative groups for voters to spoil their ballots in protest at the absence of a right-wing candidate.
The winner will succeed President Michael D. Higgins, 84, who has served since 2011. Polls closed at 10 p.m. local time, with results expected by late Saturday.
