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In a surprising turn of events, a key main candidates in Ireland's election for president has left the contest, reshaping the entire competition.

Withdrawal Announcement Shakes Up Campaign Landscape

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful pulled out on the evening of Sunday following disclosures about an unpaid debt to a former tenant, turning the contest into an unpredictable direct competition between a center-right former government minister and an non-aligned left-leaning member of parliament.

Gavin, 54, a newcomer to politics who was parachuted into the election after work in athletics, flying and armed forces, quit after it came to light he had not repaid a excess rental payment of over three thousand euros when he was a property owner about a decade and a half ago, during a period of financial difficulty.

"It was my fault that was not in keeping with who I am and the principles I uphold. I am currently resolving the issue," he declared. "After careful consideration, regarding the possible effects of the current political contest on the health of my loved ones and companions.

"Weighing all these factors, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with immediate action and rejoin my loved ones."

Contest Reduced to Two Main Contenders

The most dramatic event in a presidential campaign in living memory limited the options to Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister who is representing the incumbent center-right political party Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, an frank supporter of Palestinian rights who is supported 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 risked his standing by nominating an inexperienced hopeful over the doubts of associates in the party.

The leader stated Gavin did not want to "bring controversy" to the office of president and was justified in leaving. "Jim has accepted that he committed a mistake in relation to an situation that has emerged recently."

Political Difficulties

Although known for competence and success in commerce and athletics – under his leadership the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his campaign had stumbled through blunders that left him trailing in an survey even before the unpaid debt disclosure.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had objected to picking the candidate said the episode was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "ramifications" – a thinly veiled warning to Martin.

Voting System

His name may stay on the voting paper in the poll taking place in late October, which will end the 14-year tenure of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a dichotomy between a traditional center candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Survey results prior to Gavin's exit gave Connolly 32% support and Humphreys 23%, with Gavin on 15%.

According to voting regulations, the electorate chooses hopefuls by ranked choice. If no candidate exceeds 50% on the first count, the candidate with the least initial choices is removed and their support is passed to the subsequent choice.

Possible Ballot Shifts

Analysts predicted that if Gavin was eliminated, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and the other way around, boosting the chance that a mainstream contender would win the presidential office for the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition.

Function of the President

The role of president is a largely symbolic post but Higgins and his predecessors made it a platform on global issues.

Surviving Hopefuls

Connolly, 68, from her home city, would bring a strong leftwing voice to that tradition. Connolly has attacked free-market policies and stated Hamas is "an integral component" of the Palestinian community. Connolly has alleged Nato of militarism and compared Germany's increased defence spending to the 1930s, when Germany underwent rearmament.

Humphreys, 62, has encountered examination over her time in office in governments that presided over a accommodation problem. Being a member of that faith from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been faulted for her failure to speak Gaelic but commented her Protestant heritage could aid in securing unionist community in a reunified nation.