LONDON — Voters in Eire are going to the polls Friday to elect one in every of two girls as their new president for the following seven years, a largely ceremonial function within the European Union member nation.

Catherine Connolly, a left-wing impartial lawmaker who has the backing of Sinn Féin and is thought for her sturdy stance in opposition to Israel, is broadly seen because the main candidate to turn into the top of state. The most recent polls present she holds a major lead with about 40% of help from voters, forward of the 20% to 25% for her rival Heather Humphreys, representing center-right social gathering Positive Gael.

The 2 are the one contenders after others — together with musician Bob Geldof and the previous blended martial arts champion Conor McGregor — did not obtain sufficient backing for a nomination.

The winner will succeed Michael D. Higgins, who has been president since 2011, having served the utmost two seven-year phrases.

Connolly and Humphreys confronted off in opposition to one another as they made their ultimate pitch to voters on Tuesday in a presidential TV debate.

Here is what to know concerning the election:

Connolly, 68, is a former barrister who has been an impartial lawmaker since 2016. She has drawn criticism for her views on Palestinians and the militant Hamas group, amongst different points.

She was beforehand seen as an unlikely presidential candidate, however turned a front-runner after a 3rd candidate, Jim Gavin of the social gathering Fianna Fail, dropped out of the race in early October after particulars of a monetary scandal emerged. Gavin’s identify stays on the poll paper although he stopped campaigning.

In September, Eire’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin criticized Connolly’s feedback that referred to as Hamas “a part of the material of the Palestinian individuals,” saying she appeared reluctant to sentence the militant group’s actions within the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on Israel that ignited the two-year Israel-Hamas struggle in Gaza. She later maintained that she “totally condemned” Hamas’ actions, whereas additionally criticizing Israel for finishing up what she mentioned was a genocide in Gaza.

Opponents have mentioned she risked alienating Eire’s allies after she warned concerning the EU’s rising “militarization.” Some have additionally questioned her previous function as a lawyer representing banks that repossessed individuals’s properties.

Connolly has garnered endorsements from left-leaning events, together with Sinn Féin, the Labour Get together and the Social Democrats.

She mentioned this week she “will likely be a completely impartial president with an impartial thoughts.” Her marketing campaign web site says she “needs to be a president for all of the individuals, particularly for these typically excluded and silenced” and a “voice for equality and justice.”

Connolly started her political profession when she was elected as an area political consultant on the Galway Metropolis Council in 1999. 5 years later, she was elected mayor of town of Galway.

Humphreys, 64, has been in authorities for greater than a decade, previously serving in a number of Cupboard positions the place she oversaw arts and heritage, enterprise and rural improvement.

She was first elected as an area politician in 2004 and was a member of parliament from 2011 till 2024. She has burdened that she is a pro-business, pro-EU candidate and would attempt for unity and “construct bridges” with communities in Northern Eire.

“I’m a center-ground individual. I’m a middle-of-the-road individual, like most Irish individuals,” she mentioned on this week’s ultimate presidential debate.

Whereas Humphreys underlined her years of expertise in authorities, Connolly criticized her as a illustration of “extra of the identical,” saying she is aligned with the outlook of latest governments.

Regardless of receiving endorsements from Martin and three former deputy premiers, Humphreys is broadly anticipated to lose to Connolly.

The president appoints the prime minister, referred to as the Taoiseach, after a vote in parliament, in addition to different authorities officers and judges on the federal government’s recommendation.

The president additionally indicators into legislation payments handed by lawmakers, and may name contemporary elections if the prime minister now not has the help of lawmakers.

Whereas the function doesn’t have the ability to form legal guidelines or insurance policies, previous presidents have been recognized to air their views on necessary points. Higgins has spoken out on the struggle in Gaza and NATO spending, amongst different issues.

Polls shut at 10 p.m. Friday. Counting begins Saturday, and the result’s more likely to be recognized by late Saturday.

The brand new president will likely be inaugurated at a ceremony in Dublin Fort the day after.