The Russian press seems to be content with yesterday’s results of the Irish Presidential election as it unanimously described her as an “EU and NATO” critic. Catherine Connolly, ran for the election of the Irish Presidency as an independent candidate and was supported by Ireland’s left-wing parties against her rival, Heather Humphreys, from the ruling party Fine Gael. She was voted as Ireland’s new President last night with 63.4% of the vote but over a turnout of just 46%. The role is only ceremonial.
Catherine Connolly has condemned both Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, but she has also made outlandish statements, comparing the EU and today’s Germany with Nazi Germany of the 1930s for increasing defence expenditure. She has refused to call for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine and considers Europe’s rearmament efforts as “imperialistic” as she makes reference to the “military industrial complex”. She is against Europe sending weapons to Ukraine and has repeatedly blamed NATO and Europe for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine – an assertion also made by the Kremlin.
On Gaza, the Irish President believes that Hamas should still retain a political role.
The views of the new Irish President on Ukraine contrast with her predecessor’s, President Michael D. Higgins, who unequivocally called for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine.
Russian online trolls, and even state propaganda, are often highly dismissive of European leaders, who they also target with disinformation campaigns and online trolling. Catherine Connolly has received a lukewarm reception by the Russian information-sphere. Jeremy Corbyn also welcomed her election victory.
Newsroom
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