🔗 Share this article The Candidate Pulls Out from Irish Presidential Race In a stunning development, a key leading candidates in the Irish race for president has left the race, upending the entire competition. Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Campaign Landscape Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin stepped down on Sunday night following reports about an unpaid debt to a past renter, converting the contest into an uncertain direct competition between a moderate right past cabinet member and an independent leftwing parliamentarian. Gavin, 54, a political novice who was parachuted into the race after work in athletics, flying and armed forces, stepped aside after it came to light he had neglected to refund a overpaid rent of 3,300 euros when he was a landlord about 16 years ago, during a period of economic hardship. "I committed an error that was not in keeping with my values and the principles I uphold. I am now taking steps to address the matter," he said. "After careful consideration, regarding the possible effects of the current political contest on the welfare of my family and friends. "Taking all these considerations onboard, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with right away and return to the arms of my family." Contest Reduced to Primary Hopefuls A major surprise in a election race in recent history narrowed the contest to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is representing the governing moderate right Fine Gael party, and Catherine Connolly, an frank advocate for Palestine who is endorsed by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties. Problem for Leader Gavin's exit also triggered a crisis for the prime minister and party head, Micheál Martin, who had staked his authority by choosing an inexperienced hopeful over the doubts of party colleagues. The leader stated Gavin did not want to "create turmoil" to the office of president and was right to withdraw. "He acknowledged that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has emerged recently." Campaign Struggles Even with a track record of competence and success in business and sport – he guided Dublin's Gaelic football team to five straight titles – his election effort faltered through gaffes that put him at a disadvantage in an survey even ahead of the debt news. Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had opposed selecting the candidate said the episode was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "ramifications" – a barely concealed caution to Martin. Election Rules The candidate's name may still appear for selection in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will end the 14-year tenure of the current president, but voters now face a dichotomy between a traditional center candidate and an autonomous progressive. A poll taken before the withdrawal gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and Humphreys 23%, with the former candidate at 15 percent. Under electoral rules, the electorate chooses contenders based on preference. In case nobody reaches half the votes initially, the hopeful with the fewest initial choices is removed and their ballots are redistributed to the following option. Possible Ballot Shifts It was expected that should Gavin be removed, a majority of his ballots would shift to the other candidate, and conversely, boosting the chance that a pro-government candidate would secure the presidency for the allied parties. Presidential Duties The presidency is a largely symbolic post but the current and former presidents made it a platform on global issues. Final Contenders The 68-year-old Connolly, from Galway, would introduce a robust progressive perspective to that heritage. She has criticized free-market policies and remarked the organization constitutes "a fundamental element" of the people of Palestine. She has charged the alliance of warmongering and compared the country's raised military budget to the 1930s, when Germany underwent rearmament. The 62-year-old Humphreys, has been subjected to review over her time in office in administrations that managed a housing crisis. As a Protestant from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been faulted for her inability to speak Irish but commented her faith tradition could aid in securing unionist community in a combined country.