Ireland Elects Next President
Ireland has begun voting to elect its next president in a closely contested race between independent candidate Catherine Connolly and Fine Gael's Heather Humphreys.
The two women are vying to replace Michael D Higgins, with final results expected at Dublin Castle on Saturday.
Candidates
- Catherine Connolly: independent candidate, favourite to win, supported by Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, and other left-leaning parties.
- Heather Humphreys: Fine Gael candidate.
Catherine Connolly describes herself as a voice of peace and national unity.
Connolly, a 68-year-old Galway native, has focused her campaign on social equality, neutrality in foreign policy, and opposition to the use of Shannon Airport by the United States military.
Author's summary: Ireland votes for a new president between Connolly and Humphreys.