Core Viewpoint - Ireland is set to vote for a far-left independent candidate, Catherine Connolly, who is leading in the polls, posing a challenge to the two dominant political parties in Ireland [1] Group 1: Election Context - The election results will be announced on Saturday, with Connolly currently holding a support rate of 40% according to a recent poll [1] - The second candidate, Humphreys, has a support rate of 25%, while approximately 28% of voters remain undecided or plan to abstain from voting [1] Group 2: Candidate's Position - Connolly, a former lawyer and clinical psychologist, has criticized the EU's military response to Russia's actions in Ukraine, claiming that the EU has "lost its moral compass" [1] - She has also expressed distrust in the positions of the US, UK, and France regarding the Gaza situation, emphasizing her strong support for Palestinian politics [1] Group 3: Political Landscape - Sinn Féin, the main opposition party advocating for Irish unification, has chosen not to field its own candidate and is supporting Connolly alongside other leftist parties [1] - Despite Connolly's potential victory, analysts suggest it does not indicate the downfall of the two ruling parties, with recent polls showing the Republican Party and the Unity Party at 17% and 18% support, respectively, trailing behind Sinn Féin at 27% [1]