🔗 Share this article Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin Exits from Irish Race for the Presidency In a stunning development, one of the leading candidates in the Irish race for president has quit the campaign, dramatically altering the election dynamics. Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Political Contest The party's presidential hopeful pulled out on the evening of Sunday following disclosures about an unpaid debt to a previous occupant, turning the race into an volatile two-horse race between a centre-right former government minister and an non-aligned left-leaning member of parliament. Gavin, 54, a newcomer to politics who joined the campaign after careers in sport, aviation and the military, stepped aside after it emerged he had failed to return a rent overpayment of over three thousand euros when he was a lessor about a decade and a half ago, during a period of economic hardship. "It was my fault that was inconsistent with who I am and the principles I uphold. Corrective actions are underway," he declared. "After careful consideration, regarding the possible effects of the ongoing campaign on the health of my relatives and acquaintances. "After evaluating everything, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with right away and rejoin my loved ones." Race Narrowed to Leading Candidates The biggest shock in a election race in modern times narrowed the contest to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is representing the governing moderate right political party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an vocal advocate for Palestine who is endorsed by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties. Challenge for Party Head This departure also created turmoil for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had risked his standing by choosing an inexperienced hopeful over the reservations of associates in the party. Martin said Gavin did not want to "create turmoil" to the presidential role and was justified in leaving. "Gavin recognized that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has arisen in recent days." Political Difficulties Even with a track record of capability and achievements in commerce and athletics – Gavin had steered Dublin's Gaelic football team to five straight titles – his political bid struggled through blunders that left him trailing in an survey even ahead of the debt news. Party members who had objected to picking the candidate said the fiasco was a "significant mistake" that would have "repercussions" – a thinly veiled warning to the leader. Voting System His name may still appear for selection in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will conclude the lengthy term of the current president, but people must choose between a binary choice between a centrist establishment candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. A poll taken before Gavin's exit gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with 15 percent supporting Gavin. As per election guidelines, the electorate chooses contenders based on preference. If no candidate exceeds 50% on the first count, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the next preference. Potential Vote Transfers Observers anticipated that if Gavin was eliminated, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and the other way around, boosting the chance that a pro-government candidate would attain the presidency for the allied parties. Presidential Duties The presidency is a largely symbolic post but incumbents and past holders turned it into a stage for international matters. Surviving Hopefuls Connolly, 68, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that heritage. She has assailed free-market policies and said Hamas is "part of the fabric" of the Palestinian people. Connolly has alleged Nato of militarism and equated Berlin's enhanced defense expenditure to the 1930s, when Germany underwent rearmament. The 62-year-old Humphreys, has encountered examination over her performance in government in cabinets that oversaw a property shortage. Being a member of that faith from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been questioned about her failure to speak Gaelic but commented her Protestant heritage could help win over unionist community in a reunified nation.