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In a surprising turn of events, one of the main candidates in the Irish election for president has quit the contest, reshaping the entire competition.

Sudden Exit Shakes Up Political Contest

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful pulled out on Sunday night following revelations about an financial obligation to a former tenant, converting the election into an uncertain two-horse race between a centre-right ex-minister and an non-aligned left-leaning member of parliament.

Gavin, 54, a political novice who joined the race after careers in athletics, flying and armed forces, quit after it came to light he had not repaid a overpaid rent of over three thousand euros when he was a property owner about a decade and a half ago, during a period of monetary strain.

"I made a mistake that was inconsistent with my values and the standards I set myself. Corrective actions are underway," he said. "After careful consideration, about the potential impact of the current political contest on the wellbeing of my loved ones and companions.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, My decision is to step down from the race for the presidency with immediate action and rejoin my loved ones."

Race Narrowed to Primary Hopefuls

A major surprise in a election race in modern times limited the options to one candidate, a ex-minister who is representing the incumbent center-right Fine Gael party, and Catherine Connolly, an vocal supporter of Palestinian rights who is endorsed by a political party and small leftwing opposition parties.

Problem for Leader

Gavin's exit also caused a problem for the taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, who had staked his authority by selecting an unproven contender over the doubts of associates in the party.

He commented Gavin did not want to "create turmoil" to the office of president and was right to withdraw. "Gavin recognized that he was at fault in relation to an situation that has emerged recently."

Political Difficulties

Despite a reputation for skill and accomplishments in commerce and athletics – he guided Dublin's Gaelic football team to five straight titles – his election effort faltered through blunders that caused him to fall behind in an survey even before the unpaid debt disclosure.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had been against choosing the candidate said the situation was a "major error in judgment" that would have "ramifications" – a barely concealed caution to the leader.

Election Rules

Gavin's name may stay on the voting paper in the poll taking place in late October, which will finish the long service of Michael D Higgins, but the electorate now confronts a two options between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an independent leftwinger. Survey results prior to Gavin's exit gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with Gavin on 15%.

According to voting regulations, people pick contenders based on preference. In case nobody reaches half the votes initially, the contender receiving the lowest primary selections is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the subsequent choice.

Possible Ballot Shifts

It was expected that if Gavin was eliminated, a majority of his ballots would transfer to Humphreys, and the other way around, enhancing the possibility that a mainstream contender would secure the presidency for the governing partnership.

Role of the Presidency

The role of president is a primarily ceremonial position but Higgins and his predecessors transformed it into a platform on global issues.

Final Contenders

Connolly, 68, from her home city, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that heritage. Connolly has attacked capitalist systems and remarked the group represents "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian people. She has accused Nato of militarism and likened the country's raised military budget to the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her time in office in governments that presided over a housing crisis. As a Protestant from the border county of Monaghan, she has also been questioned about her lack of Irish language skills but stated her religious background could aid in securing loyalists in the North in a united Ireland.