Catherine Connolly named joint opposition candidate for presidency
Dublin: Independent TD Catherine Connolly has been announced as the joint opposition candidate in the upcoming presidential election. Her campaign was formally launched at a Dublin conference attended by leaders of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, Labour, People Before Profit–Solidarity, and the Green Party, signalling a coordinated effort to challenge the government’s century-long dominance by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Sinn Féin confirmed its support on Saturday, with party leader Mary Lou McDonald praising Connolly’s positions on Gaza and Irish unity. Other left-wing TDs and senators present commended her record on human rights, neutrality, and social justice.
In her speech, Connolly said the presidency required “energy and vision to lead the country in a different way,” vowing never to accept the normalisation of genocide or ignore the plight of Ireland’s 16,000 homeless families. While she has previously drawn controversy for remarks about Hamas, she avoided the subject during her campaign launch.
Labour leader Marie Sherlock described Connolly as “a voice for the voiceless”, while PBP Solidarity TD Paul Murphy said her candidacy represented a radical break with the political establishment, showing that “the left can come together and end more than 100 years of Fianna Fáil–Fine Gael rule”.
Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty added that backing Connolly was “proof of a broad, united opposition,” underpinned by shared commitments to neutrality, social justice, Irish unity, and political change. He said, “The housing crisis and the suffering of the voiceless cannot be resolved under the current government. Only a Sinn Féin-led administration, working with allies like Catherine, can deliver real change.”
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