Pallade Veneta - Ireland's Catherine Connolly set to be president after rival concedes election

After hours of counting following Friday's ballot, Connolly was on course for a landslide victory, prompting the centrist Fine Gael party's candidate Heather Humphreys to congratulate her on "becoming the next president of Ireland".

But the outspoken independent Connolly's apparent win was marred by a record number of spoiled ballots and low turnout, as voters vent frustration at the lack of right-wing options and issues including immigration and crime.

A lawyer and a critic of both the United States and European Union, her election to a post with limited political power could nonetheless herald an era of increased friction between Ireland's largely ceremonial presidency and government.

Deputy Prime Minister and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris, was quick to wish Connolly "every success", adding "she will be President for all this country".

"Her success will be Ireland's success," he posted on X.

The official result was expected late Saturday, with many polling stations reporting turnout below 40 percent and potentially more than one in eight voters having spoiled their ballots, according to The Irish Times newspaper.

Conservative figures had urged voters to mar their voting paper in protest at the two-horse race and other issues.

Like neighbouring Britain, Ireland has seen an increasingly divisive debate over an influx of asylum seekers, sparking sometimes violent protests, including outside facilities used to house them.

- 'Spoil your vote' -

More than 3.6 million people were eligible to vote to choose the successor to 84-year-old Michael Higgins, who since 2011 has held the primarily symbolic post.

A slew of celebrities also considered running -- including mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor, singer Bob Geldof and dancer Michael Flatley -- but their campaigns failed to materialise.

A conservative Catholic candidate who appeared able to muster double digit support in polling almost made the ballot but fell short of gaining enough parliamentary backing.

That sparked anger about the nomination rules and prompted early calls to "spoil your vote".

Connolly and Humphreys ended up as the only effective choices after another candidate representing the centrist Fianna Fail -- the larger party in Ireland's governing coalition with Fine Gael -- quit the race.

He remained on ballot papers because he only announced his withdrawal earlier this month.

A recent poll suggested 49 percent of voters did not feel represented by the two candidates on offer.

- 'Earthquake' -

Connolly, 68, a lawmaker since 2016 and supported by left-wing parties including Sinn Fein, had surged ahead in opinion polls in recent weeks.

Some predict her strong left-wing views on foreign policy, social justice and housing could cause friction with the government.

She has voiced unease at Europe's increased military spending following Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Political analyst Pat Leahy called the result a political "earthquake" and "disastrous day" for the two parties currently ruling Ireland.

"How she navigates the relationship with a government she so clearly believes is pursuing the wrong policies now brings a new uncertainty -- and possibly conflict -- into Irish politics," he wrote in the Irish Times.

Political science professor Eoin O'Malley, of Dublin City University, said Connolly was "the clear winner" after the contest "became a referendum" on that government.

B.Fortunato--PV