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With an unexpected announcement, a key main contenders in Ireland's presidential election has left the campaign, reshaping the entire competition.

Withdrawal Announcement Reconfigures Campaign Landscape

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful pulled out on the evening of Sunday following disclosures about an outstanding payment to a previous occupant, transforming the race into an unpredictable direct competition between a centre-right past cabinet member and an independent leftwing parliamentarian.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a newcomer to politics who joined the race after careers in athletics, flying and armed forces, withdrew after it emerged he had not repaid a excess rental payment of over three thousand euros when he was a landlord about 16 years ago, during a period of financial difficulty.

"I made a mistake that was contrary to my values and the standards I set myself. Corrective actions are underway," he declared. "After careful consideration, concerning the influence of the ongoing campaign on the wellbeing of my relatives and acquaintances.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with right away and go back to my family."

Race Narrowed to Two Main Contenders

The biggest shock in a election race in living memory reduced the field to Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister who is running for the ruling centre-right party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights who is backed by a political party and small leftwing opposition parties.

Challenge for Party Head

Gavin's exit also created turmoil for the prime minister and party head, the party chief, who had staked his authority by nominating an inexperienced hopeful over the reservations of party colleagues.

He commented the candidate wished to avoid "create turmoil" to the presidential role and was right to withdraw. "Gavin recognized that he committed a mistake in relation to an issue that has come up lately."

Election Challenges

Although known for competence and success in enterprise and sports – Gavin had steered the capital's GAA team to five straight titles – his campaign had stumbled through blunders that put him at a disadvantage in an survey even prior to the financial revelation.

Party members who had opposed selecting the candidate said the fiasco was a "significant mistake" that would have "ramifications" – a implied threat to Martin.

Election Rules

Gavin's name may still appear for selection in the election on 24 October, which will finish the long service of President Higgins, but the electorate now confronts a two options between a traditional center candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Opinion research conducted ahead of his departure gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and 23 percent for Humphreys, with the former candidate at 15 percent.

Under electoral rules, people pick hopefuls by ranked choice. Should no contender surpass 50% on the first count, the candidate with the least first preference votes is removed and their support is passed to the following option.

Possible Ballot Shifts

It was expected that if Gavin was eliminated, the bulk of his support would go to Humphreys, and conversely, boosting the chance that a mainstream contender would win the presidential office for the allied parties.

Presidential Duties

This office is a largely symbolic post but Higgins and his predecessors made it a venue for worldwide concerns.

Remaining Candidates

Connolly, 68, from Galway, would introduce a robust progressive perspective to that heritage. She has criticized free-market policies and stated Hamas is "an integral component" of the Palestinian people. She has charged the alliance of warmongering and likened the country's raised military budget to the thirties, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her performance in government in cabinets that oversaw a property shortage. A Presbyterian from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her inability to speak Irish but said her religious background could aid in securing Northern Ireland's unionists in a reunified nation.