One of the most striking trends in European politics in recent years has been the dissolution of the political center and the shift of voters toward more ideologically distinct, often protest-oriented alternatives. The social fractures caused by the 2008 global economic crisis, rising living costs, and housing crises in the wake of the pandemic have weakened the representational capacity of traditional social-democratic parties. In this context, movements defined as the “new left” or “radical left” have reemerged, blending classic class-based rhetoric with areas such as cultural and ecological justice. The 2025 presidential elections in Ireland can be seen as one of the most meaningful reflections of this wave at both the local and European levels.
Despite its historically conservative political culture rooted in Catholic identity, Ireland entered a process of social transformation in the late 2000s. The legalization of same-sex marriage, the abortion referendum, and social movements against the housing crisis have fundamentally changed the country’s political agenda.[i] The new political climate created by this transformation weakened the hegemony of the traditional parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, while enabling Sinn Féin and independent left-wing actors to gain increasing legitimacy in society.[ii] Catherine Connolly’s victory in the 2025 presidential election can be seen as a reflection of this social restructuring on the political stage.
The foundation of Connolly’s electoral success lies in the distance he has maintained between himself and mainstream politics, as well as his populist style. Despite being an independent candidate, he has successfully balanced an anti-establishment rhetoric with institutional responsibility in his campaign. His focus on concrete issues such as economic justice, the housing crisis, the healthcare system, social welfare, and climate change resonated with voters’ everyday concerns, particularly among young voters. Connolly’s rhetoric, described as “the conscience of Ireland,” emphasized that politics is not merely a technical matter of governance but also an area of moral responsibility.[iii]
The symbolic dimension of the election is also noteworthy. The office of the president has limited executive powers under the Irish Constitution; however, historically, this office has been seen as representing national identity and democratic legitimacy. Connolly’s election, in this context, signifies a redefinition of the public’s trust in the political system. Voters expressed their dissatisfaction with the functioning of the parliamentary system by turning to a figure with high representational capacity but clear institutional boundaries.
Connolly’s foreign policy rhetoric is the main reason why the election resonated not only nationally but also across Europe. His strong messages of solidarity with the Palestinian people, particularly in the context of the war in Gaza, and his criticism of the European Union’s passive stance on this issue have made Connolly a figure who reinterprets the classic Irish understanding of neutrality.[iv] This could bring a new perspective to foreign policy debates within the EU. Ireland’s institutionalization of a “human rights-based neutrality” approach within Europe could both strengthen a values-based orientation in foreign policy and pave the way for a new normative model based on social conscience politics.
The impact of the election result on European politics will be felt more qualitatively than quantitatively. First, Connolly’s victory has given moral and strategic momentum to left-wing movements across Europe. At a time when Podemos is weakening in Spain, the Left Party (Die Linke) is splitting in Germany, and the left-wing alliance led by Mélenchon is progressing along an unstable path in France, the fact that a small country like Ireland has elevated a left-wing leader to the presidency shows that the left can regain legitimacy. [v] Furthermore, Connolly’s “independent left” identity has also demonstrated that a cross-party leftist vision is possible; this can be seen as an essential innovation in European politics, where traditional parties are becoming increasingly worn out.
The European Union’s current governance structure is based on a political system centered on economic stability and security. Connolly’s election serves as a reminder of the limits of this centralization. Although the discourse of a Europe of the peoples has generally been marginalized within the EU, it has regained meaning in the Irish example. The left-populist line here has taken shape not as authoritarian or anti-systemic, but as an ethically based form of public solidarity.[vi] This may also herald an alternative model that could be developed in response to the rise of right-wing populism in Europe.
On the other hand, Connolly’s election will also have significant consequences for Irish domestic politics. Although the president’s constitutional powers are limited, their power to shape public opinion is considerable. In this context, Connolly could exert indirect pressure on the government on issues such as the housing crisis, social justice, and environmental policy. This situation could contribute to the development of a more participatory and accountable governance culture in Ireland. Furthermore, this new political atmosphere could also strengthen the potential for left-wing parties to increase their representation in parliament in future general elections.
From a normative perspective, Connolly’s victory offers an experience demonstrating that the left in Europe can regain legitimacy through “ethical politics.” Amid complex issues such as economic crises, security threats, and migration, the electorate’s turn toward seeking “virtuous representation” indicates that political representation can be reestablished not only on the basis of interests but also on the basis of values.[vii] In this sense, Connolly has become a symbolic figure in the European left’s renewed construction of identity.
Ultimately, the 2025 Irish presidential election is a turning point symbolizing the return of the left to the stage at a time of ideological fractures and representation crises in European politics. Catherine Connolly’s victory reflects Ireland’s process of social transformation and also contains important messages about the future of European democracies. This election has shown that the left can establish a comprehensive political line not only against economic inequalities but also against ethical, cultural, and environmental injustices. In this sense, Connolly is not an exception in the redefinition of left-wing politics in Europe but perhaps a harbinger of a new era.
[i] “Ireland’s left-wing independent Connolly wins presidential election in landslide”, France 24, https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251025-ireland-s-left-wing-independent-connolly-set-to-be-president-after-rival-concedes-election (Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
[ii] Rory Carroll, “Leftwinger Catherine Connolly wins Ireland presidential election by landslide”, The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/25/catherine-connolly-ireland-presidential-election-leftwing (Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
[iii] Aynı yer.
[iv] Karl Sexton, “Ireland: Left-wing Connolly wins presidential election”, DW, https://www.dw.com/en/ireland-left-wing-connolly-wins-presidential-election/a-74496453 (Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
[v] Auryn Cox, “Connolly declared president of Ireland after landslide win”, BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gk2kml122o, (Erişim Tarihi: 10.11.2025).
[vi] Aynı yer.
[vii] Aynı yer.
