Voters in Ireland are going to the polls to elect one of two women as their new president. Catherine Connolly, a left-wing independent lawmaker who has the backing of Sinn Féin and is known for her strong stance against Israel, is widely seen as the leading candidate in Friday's election. The latest polls show Connolly holds a significant lead over Heather Humphreys, representing center-right party Fine Gael. They are the only contenders after others — including former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor — failed to receive enough backing for nomination. The president is a largely ceremonial role.
