Irish President Election Results
Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has hailed the landslide election of Catherine Connolly as Uachtarán na hÉireann and said she deserves huge credit for what she has achieved.
Ms McDonald described the Connolly campaign as “an historic political effort which, for the first time, brought together the combined Opposition to present a positive alternative to the jaded politics of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, which the people rejected today. It is also an election which put Irish unity centre stage. It is likely that a referendum on Irish Unity will happen during Catherine’s Presidency and the government needs to start preparing for it now.”
The Sinn Féin Leader said, “This has been a stunning result for Catherine Connolly. A landslide victory and she deserves huge credit for what she has achieved. She has been an amazing candidate with a positive vision for the Presidency – a neutral Ireland, a united Ireland, a voice for the people, independent of government.
“I want to thank everyone who came out to vote for Catherine Connolly and who backed this positive vision for the future of this great country. I also want to thank all those who worked tirelessly on the campaign, particularly Sinn Féin activists who gave it their all in the campaign and were instrumental in getting Catherine elected.
“This was an historic election, perhaps a watershed moment in Irish politics, in which the combined opposition came together to take on Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. We presented a real, positive alternative to the stifling politics that has failed generation after generation. It shows exactly what is possible when we work together.
“This victory today presents an opportunity to turn the page. Our job now is to harness the energy of the campaign and the hope this vote represents and use it to redouble our efforts in standing up for ordinary workers and families. It is also an opportunity to advance towards Irish Unity. It is likely that a referendum on Irish Unity will happen during Catherine’s Presidency and the government needs to start preparing for it now.
“Today’s vote represents a resounding defeat for the politics of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, in the aftermath of a budget that left workers and families worse off. They have also been punished for their decision to block other candidates getting on the ballot paper. And rightly so.
“I know there are those who felt unheard, unrepresented, and ignored by the system in this election and many others who were disconnected and disaffected. I want those people to know that we hear them, that we have listened, and that we will respond with engagement and action.
“This is a great day for Ireland. The arc of Irish history is long and now it bends towards a future that belongs to the people. The Presidency of Ireland is a noble office that stands as the north star for the values, ideals, and hopes of the Irish nation. In Catherine Connolly, we have an Uachtarán na hÉireann who will safeguard these values, ideals and hopes with courage, a President who represents Ireland with integrity, wisdom and honour.”
