Labour Backs Catherine Connolly for President Amid Mixed Reactions

BREAKING: The Labour Party has officially backed Catherine Connolly as its presidential candidate, announced during a virtual parliamentary party meeting on Thursday evening. This decision comes after a consultation indicating that just under 60% of party members support Connolly’s candidacy for the upcoming election.

Labour TD Ciarán Ahern, appointed as the party’s liaison with Connolly’s campaign, emphasized the importance of this endorsement, stating it reflects the party’s commitment to fostering the growth of leftist politics in Ireland. Ahern asserted that Connolly embodies the social democratic values of equality, justice, and tolerance, crucial for the presidency in the next seven years, following the legacy of former President Michael D Higgins.

However, the endorsement has sparked controversy within the party. Sources indicate that some members, particularly from the parliamentary group, view the decision to support Connolly—a former Labour member—as lackluster. An anonymous TD expressed concern that the push for Connolly’s candidacy primarily stemmed from party leader Ivana Bacik, with others in the party less enthusiastic about her selection.

“My main thing is I don’t want a centre-right candidate to be president and I will do anything in my power to prevent that,”

said one TD, reflecting the urgency felt among some members to unify behind Connolly despite their reservations.

Connolly’s past with the Labour Party has been tumultuous; she left the party in 2006 after a failed bid to run alongside then-candidate Michael D Higgins. Upon her election to the Dáil in 2016, she famously remarked that the Labour Party had “lost its soul.” This history adds complexity to her current candidacy, with some party members recalling her previous criticisms.

In the lead-up to this decision, Labour took time to evaluate Connolly as a candidate. Concerns emerged regarding her foreign policy stance, particularly her visit to Syria in 2017, where she advocated for lifting sanctions against the Assad regime. Despite these criticisms, some newer party representatives are eager to campaign for her, drawing parallels to successful social movements like the repeal of the eighth amendment.

As the presidential election approaches, which must occur before November 11, 2025, the atmosphere within the Labour Party remains mixed. Currently, Connolly is running against Mairead McGuinness from Fine Gael, and party unity appears pivotal for a successful campaign.

Looking ahead, party members are urged to rally behind Connolly to present a united front. As one TD noted, “Ivana has done so much to try and pull this (a united left candidate) off over the last couple of months. And now it’s a case of getting on with it.” The urgency to prevent a centre-right candidate from winning the presidency underlines the critical need for cohesion among Labour’s ranks.

With the election date approaching and the political landscape shifting, the Labour Party must navigate internal divisions while promoting Connolly’s candidacy. The stakes are high, and the race is on. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.