Pakistan, Oct. 26 -- Catherine Connolly, a 68-year-old independent lawmaker and long-time left-wing critic of the European Union, has won Ireland's presidential election in a stunning landslide victory. Her decisive win dealt a heavy blow to the ruling centre-right coalition and reflected growing discontent with mainstream politics. Connolly, who was backed by left-leaning opposition parties, secured 63.4% of the vote, while her rival, former cabinet minister Heather Humphreys, trailed far behind with just 29.5%.

Connolly's campaign, initially underestimated, gained momentum as she appealed to younger voters and those disillusioned with establishment parties. "I will be a president who listens, who reflects, and who speaks when necessary...