Socialist critic of NATO and EU poised to win Ireland’s presidency (www.politico.eu)
from MicroWave@lemmy.world to world@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 09:35
https://lemmy.world/post/37787689

Independent socialist Catherine Connolly’s coolness to Brussels and hostility to Donald Trump put her at odds with the Irish government.

She’s slammed NATO, voted against EU treaties, been accused of offering propaganda boosts for dictators from Russia to Syria — and now she’s on track to become Ireland’s next president.

Catherine Connolly, a former mayor of the western city of Galway who’s spent the past nine years as an opposition socialist lawmaker in Ireland’s parliament, has built a commanding polling lead ahead of Friday’s election versus her only challenger, former government minister Heather Humphreys from the center-ground Fine Gael party.

The latest opinion poll, published Wednesday night, put Connolly on 55.7 percent support compared to Humphreys’ 31.6 percent. Results will be announced Saturday, but the surprisingly fleet-footed 68-year-old Connolly acts and talks like she’s already won.

#world

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Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 09:40 next collapse

Another fake socialist.

Credibly_Human@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:04 next collapse

Seriously, these are a crazy mix of viewpoints.

neeeerrrdd@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:16 collapse

Here’s what she actually says about Ukraine, btw. Doesn’t seem like she’s a Russian propagandist. youtube.com/watch?v=FW8co4DMVSo

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 11:35 collapse

Seems reasonable in the video.

But the “NATO opposition” is a massive red flag that suggests a complete inability to read and understand the russians.

neeeerrrdd@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 11:47 next collapse

Not that it matters in a purely ceremonial governmental position.

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 12:23 next collapse

There is some truth to that, but I think you generally want savvy individuals even in ceremonial positions

neeeerrrdd@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 16:01 collapse

Fair, but have you seen the other candidates?

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 16:22 collapse

I have not, no.

IncogCyberSpaceUser@piefed.social on 24 Oct 14:34 collapse

Are you saying nothing they advocate for matters at all? No? Then where do you draw the line? Seems like a disingenuous statement. Of course it matters what the opinions of a elected official are.

neeeerrrdd@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 15:59 collapse

Sure, it matters what the opinions of an elected official are. But when the elected official in question holds little to no power, then does it really matter what their specific opinion on NATO is, especially when the other candidates are right-wing dipshits? It’s good to have a head of state with generally respectable opinions, but in the grand scheme of things, this doesn’t matter.

mrdown@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 12:45 collapse

I will be for nato when it get rid of the usa and it’s influence and stop collaborating with Israel

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 13:10 collapse

I hope you and your family end up in a russian internment camp!

[deleted] on 24 Oct 13:13 next collapse
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Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz on 24 Oct 14:01 next collapse

Libs when imperialism gets anything less than unquestioning support.

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 14:13 collapse

I am not a “lib”, the very term “liberal” isn’t even used correctly in North America.

This was a very specific answer to specific claims (get rid of the US, stop collaborating with Israel). These are ridiculous statements in context of NATO’s primary goal, defence against russian invasions.

Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz on 24 Oct 14:22 next collapse

Russia can’t even invade, let alone occupy Ukraine lmao, and Israel is entirely orthogonal if not detrimental to supplying Ukraine with weapons.

Find a new boogeyman to justify a “defense” organization that has never acted in self-defense.

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 14:33 next collapse

Thank you for proving my point with your “BATO made putin do it” world salad!

I couldn’t have done a better job myself.

Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz on 24 Oct 14:39 collapse

That’s not at all what I said. I feel like you’re responding to something you just made up in your head.

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 16:24 collapse

Find a new boogeyman to justify a “defense” organization that has never acted in self-defense.

Made up in my head. Poland and Baltic nations totally didn’t join NATO to protect themselves from Russian invasions like in Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia.

You fake leftists are funny. Thankfully, no one gives a shit about you at all.

Alcoholicorn@mander.xyz on 24 Oct 22:22 collapse

Ok, now tell me how “Find a new boogeyman to justify a “defense” organization that has never acted in self-defense.” translates to “BATO made putin do it” in your head.

But how could I forgot having America and its attack dog Israel run your “defensive” organization is a fundamental leftist position.

ordnance_qf_17_pounder@reddthat.com on 24 Oct 16:15 next collapse

NATO shills are so full of it. Russia is both comically weak, but also such a threat that every country from Turkey to Canada must be a part of it. And must pour shit loads of money into it.

A lot of effort to defend against a country that can’t even take a third of a much smaller and weaker neighbour.

Funny as well because the country next door that invaded and occupied Ireland for centuries (and still does a part of it) is in NATO. Russia never threatened Ireland. It’s not hard to see why many Irish people reject this sort of militarism.

mrdown@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 16:41 collapse

Russia is a threat to the previous area controlled by URSS . You so stupid if you think Russia is a big risk for the USA and Canada and even Europeen countries like the U.K and France. I also I don’t mean that countries not at risk from Russian threat shouldn’t support Ukraine .

mrdown@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 16:39 collapse

There is many Ukrainian area occupied by Russia but you are right that during the war

mrdown@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 16:38 collapse

These are ridiculous statements in context of NATO’s primary goal

They are facts. Opposing NATO doesn’t necessary mean not supporting Ukrainians. Countries has signed international conventions that gives right to support the occupied like Ukraine and Gaza without being in NATO.

Do you still trust the USA what the rest of NATO will do if the USA goes full Russian supporter?

NATO is a supporter of Israel which shouldn’t has anything to do with the area that they try to protect

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel–NATO_relations

www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/opinions_21331.htm?sel…

A new Palestinian state would need help in disarming Hamas and other terrorist groups, while Israel would need reassurance that it would not have to bear the burden of protecting its citizens alone. And NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer’s openness to a NATO mission in Iraq bodes well both for bolstering a new Iraqi government and for rebuilding Alliance unity.

Look at how Nato can’t even condemn Israeli occupation and backing of settlements and violent settlers

I

Skiluros@sh.itjust.works on 24 Oct 17:41 collapse

The US is a bigger military force (qualitatively and quantitatively) than all other NATO members combined (although UK/France are no slouches and some smaller countries like Poland, Sweden, Finland hold their own). This is a critical issue in holding back the russians.

You denying this (and ignoring that russia is currently occupying 3 non-NATO members, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia), says everything we need to know.

The real irony is that I lean much more towards the Palestinian side, but that doesn’t mean I am going to buying into “DATO forced poor putin to invade1!”

mrdown@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 17:45 collapse

You made yourselves dependent of the USA. The USA was never a trusted ally they can stab you whenever they feel

www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/…/ar-AA1P6kSM

I am going to buying into “DATO forced poor putin to invade1!”

You are assuming that I am one of those. I am the one who want all countries to respect international laws and not supporting occupiers whatever it is Ukraine, Palestine or any other not you

You denying this (and ignoring that russia is currently occupying 3 non-NATO members, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia), says everything we need to know.

Read my comments again . I said that the countries that risks to be occupied again by Russia former controlled area . Maldova and Georgia was both part of the URSS and shouldn’t be part of Russia or occupied by it again

mrdown@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 16:32 collapse

I hope you and your family end up get tortured in Israeli jail

unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de on 24 Oct 09:58 next collapse

I dont even care about her politics, but bro looks like she is gonna fall over dead in 20 minutes. Nobody should be allowed to become president of anything at almost 70. Retirement age is 65 for a reason. Just sit back and enjoy your remaining 10 years on the planet and let the people that will actually live to see the results of their work make decisions.

TankovayaDiviziya@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:12 next collapse

To be fair, she is still sharp and agile. At first I thought it was AI.

Edit: and just to let everyone know, a president of Ireland has little to no power. He/she holds a ceremonial role.

unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de on 24 Oct 10:46 collapse

A ceremonial role is fine i guess yeah

the_q@lemmy.zip on 24 Oct 11:33 next collapse

Irish people just look this way, bud.

But_my_mom_says_im_cool@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 12:05 collapse

I always hear from Lemmy about how old people need to get out of politics, from the same people who still want Bernie

unexposedhazard@discuss.tchncs.de on 24 Oct 12:53 collapse

Bernie can continue being vocal about politics if he wants, but he definitely shouldnt hold any sort of important office.

But_my_mom_says_im_cool@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 19:24 collapse

I agree, good advisor for sure and why not a White House post? But not president or vice. Let him be the guru, but I’m so done with old people in power, even on the left.

Credibly_Human@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:04 next collapse

What in the world are these self defeating mixes of opinions.

I don’t think any human being of good health could hold those opinions simultaneously and in good faith.

NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io on 24 Oct 10:49 collapse

Keyword here is "accused." Neoliberal media likes to accuse leftists of Bad Things™.

Credibly_Human@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 16:29 collapse

I must then ask, as someone not familiar with Irish politics.

Are they wrong? Does she actually want to leave the EU and or NATO?

neeeerrrdd@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:08 next collapse

The president of Ireland holds literally no power.

Cryan24@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:17 next collapse

The president is a powerless figure head so her opinions dont matter, I am disappointed we couldn’t vote Michael D again, atleast he brought his dogs out for meet and greets.

ordnance_qf_17_pounder@reddthat.com on 24 Oct 10:22 next collapse

Excellent news. Fuck Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. Two cheeks of the same right-wing arse.

Bruncvik@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 10:49 next collapse

One thing to recognise here is that neither governmental party was able to field a viable candidate against her. FF, the major government partner, had their candidate quit the race after the first debate. FG, the junior partner, nominated a candidate who clearly didn’t want to run, due to all the skeletons in her closet the media are now dragging out.

To be fair, however, the government always faces an uphill battle. Our President, despite being largery powerless, had been viewed in the past two decades or so as the moral counterweight to the immoral government. Nominating a former government minister was thus a very tone-deaf decision.

Buffalox@lemmy.world on 24 Oct 11:45 collapse

EU is not perfect, it’s OK to criticize, it’s only crazy if they think no EU is better than having EU.