Ruth Coppinger says the presidential election was a 'trouncing' of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

Michael Bolton

People Before Profit-Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger says Catherine Connolly's election as president is a "trouncing" of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

Backed by Sinn Féin, Labour, Social Democrats, People Before Profit-Solidarity, and the Green Party, Ms Connolly won the presidential election with 63 per cent of the vote.

The Independent Galway TD finished ahead of Heather Humphreys, while Fianna Fáil's candidate Jim Gavin withdrew from the race.

Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, Ms Coppinger says the election of Ms Connolly was an "antidote" from right-wing politicians across the globe, and criticised the Government parties' election campaign.

"I think it was a great antidote to so much of what is happening in the world, where we see far-right forces getting a hold in a number of countries.

"The other thing politically is the real trouncing of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. I think it has been a disaster for them.

"It is a real sign that they are losing their base and their credibility. They wanted a stay in your lane president elected, and they weren't able to put up a credible candidate of any kind of the two.

"I think there is going to be serious repercussions, particularly in Fianna Fáil where it was a worse situation."

Ms Coppinger praised the Connolly campaign for focusing on issues that are important for young people, and their social media through the campaign.

"I think the most important issue to young people right now is the housing crisis. While it wasn't essentially a central issue in the actual debates, young people are so disillusioned with the lack of any future being offered to them.

"Internationally, the huge issue for so many is Palestine. That was very strongly associated with the Palestinian cause.

"The Irish language as well, which is enjoying something of a revival for young people in particular. I think it was a brilliantly well run social media campaign as well.

"The establishment parties are incapable of competing among that age group. A lot of these elections are going to be social media driven, I do think it did generate activity at the local level as well."

A campaign where the left parties were all united behind Catherine Connolly, it paid off as the overwhelming support saw the Galway woman elected.

The Galway west by-election will take place early in 2026, but the country will likely not see any further elections until 2029.

Looking forward to the future, Ms Coppinger says questions need to be asked for left unity in the future.

"Left unity is something I am very in favour of. The first thing that has to be dealt with is a coalition with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

"The first thing people need to do is make clear their position on that, their goal is to build an alternative to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, and not prop them up in future governments.

"How we deal with the issue of racism and immigration, the scapegoating of minorities, refugees and migrants in communities. We have to not lean into racism in anyway.

"The other issue is are parties willing to challenge the invested interests that are creating the crisis in housing prevision in particular.

"The housing crisis is at the route of so many problems in society."

Another big story of the election was spoiled votes, which outnumbered votes for the candidates in some parts of the country.

Come voting day, with only two candidatesa remaining, some voters argued there was not a candidate for them.

The Dublin TD says that while there must be some hurdles for nominees, the process to be a candidate must change.

"There has to be some hurdle that  you have to get through, you just can't have everybody standing.

"But by haviung 20 TDs and four councils, it does definitely mitigate against smaller and more radical candidates. The Citizens Assembly recommeded change on that front, and it has never been discussed. I think it should be opened up.

"I do think the spoil the votes is a serious issue that neds to be looked at. There are hard pressed working class communities where clearly the spoil the vote was much higher than Catherine Connolly's vote even.

"There is deep alienation in a lot of working class communities, but there was also an organised far-right, religious right who pushed and organised that campaign."