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In a surprising turn of events, a key primary candidates in the Irish election for president has left the contest, reshaping the political landscape.

Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Political Contest

The party's Jim Gavin pulled out on Sunday night following revelations about an unpaid debt to a past renter, converting the race into an unpredictable two-horse race between a moderate right ex-minister and an non-aligned left-leaning legislator.

The 54-year-old Gavin, a political novice who joined the campaign after work in sport, aviation and the military, withdrew after it came to light he had failed to return a excess rental payment of over three thousand euros when he was a lessor about 16 years ago, during a period of monetary strain.

"I made a mistake that was contrary to my values and the standards I set myself. I am currently resolving the issue," he declared. "Reflecting deeply, regarding the possible effects of the current political contest on the wellbeing of my relatives and acquaintances.

"Taking all these considerations onboard, I have decided to withdraw from the race for the presidency with immediate effect and go back to my family."

Contest Reduced to Two Main Contenders

The biggest shock in a election race in modern times narrowed the contest to one candidate, a former cabinet minister who is running for the ruling centre-right political party Fine Gael, and Catherine Connolly, an vocal advocate for Palestine who is backed by a political party and left-leaning minor parties.

Problem for Leader

The withdrawal also triggered a crisis for the prime minister and party head, Micheál Martin, who had put his reputation on the line by nominating an untried candidate over the skepticism of associates in the party.

He commented Gavin did not want to "bring controversy" to the presidency and was correct to step down. "He acknowledged that he committed a mistake in relation to an situation that has come up lately."

Political Difficulties

Even with a track record of competence and success in business and sport – Gavin had steered the capital's GAA team to multiple successive wins – his election effort faltered through blunders that caused him to fall behind in an public opinion measure even prior to the financial revelation.

Fianna Fáil figures who had been against choosing the candidate said the fiasco was a "major error in judgment" that would have "consequences" – a implied threat to Martin.

Voting System

His name may still appear for selection in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will conclude the lengthy term of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a dichotomy between a traditional center candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Opinion research conducted ahead of the withdrawal gave Connolly a third of the vote and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with the former candidate at 15 percent.

Under electoral rules, the electorate chooses contenders based on preference. If no candidate exceeds half the votes initially, the hopeful with the fewest first preference votes is eliminated and their votes are transferred to the subsequent choice.

Possible Ballot Shifts

It was expected that should Gavin be removed, most of his votes would shift to the other candidate, and vice versa, boosting the chance that a establishment hopeful would attain the presidency for the governing partnership.

Role of the Presidency

This office is a mostly representative role but incumbents and past holders turned it into a venue for worldwide concerns.

Final Contenders

Connolly, 68, from her home city, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that heritage. She has criticized free-market policies and remarked the group represents "part of the fabric" of the Palestinian community. Connolly has alleged Nato of militarism and equated the country's raised military budget to the thirties, when the Nazi leader built up military forces.

The 62-year-old Humphreys, has faced scrutiny over her time in office in administrations that managed a housing crisis. A Presbyterian from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been questioned about her inability to speak Irish but commented her faith tradition could aid in securing Northern Ireland's unionists in a reunified nation.