"Last weekend, Ireland elected as its next president a leftwing pacifist in the latest example of how Ireland has bucked the global trends of rightwing populism. This was not a parliamentary election although Catherine Connolly, an independent candidate, managed to unite leftwing parties, some previously at loggerheads behind her. And presidential elections in Ireland are different. The office itself is largely ceremonial, but the figurehead is seen as the conscience of Irish society."
"Connolly's strength was her authenticity. Her personal story shaped her views about social justice and equality. She grew up in a large working-class family, raised by a widowed father in a council house on the outskirts of Galway. But although she is 68, and a seasoned politician and lawyer, Connolly was able to tickle voters' attention with organically viral videos displaying her deft soccer and basketball skills."
Ireland elected Catherine Connolly, a leftwing pacifist, as president in a vote that contrasted with global rightwing populist trends. The presidency is largely ceremonial but functions as a moral conscience, and Irish voters have favored progressive, intellectually grounded figures since Mary Robinson in 1990. Connolly united leftwing parties as an independent candidate and appealed across constituencies through authenticity rooted in a working-class upbringing. Personal athleticism and organically viral campaign moments boosted her visibility. She is a softly spoken, nuanced politician rather than a rousing orator, and her campaign emphasized character, lived experience, and anti-war values in shaping public support.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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