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In a stunning development, one of the main hopefuls in Ireland's presidential election has quit the race, dramatically altering the political landscape.

Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Campaign Landscape

Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful stepped down on the evening of Sunday following reports about an outstanding payment to a former tenant, turning the race into an unpredictable direct competition between a center-right past cabinet member and an non-aligned left-leaning parliamentarian.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a newcomer to politics who was parachuted into the election after work in athletics, flying and armed forces, quit after it emerged he had not repaid a rent overpayment of 3,300 euros when he was a landlord about in the mid-2000s, during a period of economic hardship.

"I made a mistake that was not in keeping with who I am and the expectations I hold. I am currently resolving the issue," he stated. "Reflecting deeply, concerning the influence of the current political contest on the wellbeing of my family and friends.

"After evaluating everything, I've chosen to exit from the race for the presidency with right away and go back to my family."

Race Narrowed to Primary Hopefuls

A major surprise in a election race in living memory limited the options to Heather Humphreys, a ex-minister who is campaigning for the incumbent center-right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an outspoken advocate for Palestine who is supported by Sinn Féin and small leftwing opposition parties.

Challenge for Party Head

The withdrawal also caused a problem for the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, who had staked his authority by choosing an inexperienced hopeful over the skepticism of party colleagues.

The leader stated it was about not wanting to "create turmoil" to the presidency and was right to withdraw. "Jim has accepted that he committed a mistake in relation to an issue that has arisen in recent days."

Campaign Struggles

Even with a track record of skill and accomplishments in business and sport – he guided the Dublin football squad to multiple successive wins – his campaign had stumbled through blunders that left him trailing in an opinion poll even ahead of the debt news.

Individuals within Fianna Fáil who had objected to picking the candidate said the episode was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "repercussions" – a implied threat to the leader.

Election Rules

The candidate's name may stay on the voting paper in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will end the 14-year tenure of the current president, but voters now face a two options between a traditional center candidate and an autonomous progressive. Opinion research conducted ahead of the withdrawal gave Connolly 32% support and 23 percent for Humphreys, with 15 percent supporting Gavin.

Under electoral rules, people pick contenders based on preference. In case nobody reaches a majority in round one, the contender receiving the lowest first preference votes is eliminated and their support is passed to the next preference.

Likely Support Redistribution

Analysts predicted that should Gavin be removed, the bulk of his support would transfer to Humphreys, and conversely, increasing the likelihood that a pro-government candidate would attain the presidency for the governing partnership.

Role of the Presidency

The presidency is a mostly representative role but incumbents and past holders made it a platform on global issues.

Final Contenders

Connolly, 68, from Galway, would introduce a robust progressive perspective to that tradition. She has criticized neoliberal economics and said Hamas is "a fundamental element" of the Palestinian community. She has charged NATO of promoting military solutions and equated the country's raised military budget to the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.

Humphreys, 62, has faced scrutiny over her time in office in administrations that managed a accommodation problem. As a Protestant from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her lack of Irish language skills but commented her Protestant heritage could aid in securing unionist community in a reunified nation.