The Candidate Withdraws from Ireland's Presidential Race
In a surprising turn of events, a key primary hopefuls in Ireland's race for president has left the race, dramatically altering the entire competition.
Withdrawal Announcement Shakes Up Campaign Landscape
Fianna Fáil's presidential hopeful withdrew on the evening of Sunday following reports about an outstanding payment to a previous occupant, converting the contest into an volatile two-horse race between a center-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 sports, airline industry and defense, quit after it came to light he had failed to return a excess rental payment of €3,300 when he was a landlord about 16 years ago, during a period of financial difficulty.
"I committed an error that was inconsistent with my character and the standards I set myself. I am now taking steps to address the matter," he stated. "After careful consideration, about the potential impact of the ongoing campaign on the welfare of my family and friends.
"Weighing all these factors, I've chosen to exit from the presidential election contest with right away and go back to my family."
Contest Reduced to Primary Hopefuls
The most dramatic event in a political contest in modern times narrowed the contest to Heather Humphreys, a former cabinet minister who is campaigning for the incumbent center-right political party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an outspoken advocate for Palestine who is supported by Sinn Féin and minor progressive groups.
Crisis for Leadership
Gavin's exit also triggered a crisis for the taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, the party chief, who had put his reputation on the line by nominating an inexperienced hopeful over the skepticism of party colleagues.
He commented Gavin did not want to "cause dispute" to the presidency and was correct to step down. "Gavin recognized that he made an error in relation to an situation that has come up lately."
Campaign Struggles
Despite a reputation for competence and success in business and sport – Gavin had steered the capital's GAA team to five consecutive championship victories – his election effort faltered through missteps 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 fiasco was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "consequences" – a implied threat to the leader.
Ballot Process
Gavin's name may still appear for selection in the election on 24 October, which will conclude the lengthy term of President Higgins, but the electorate now confronts a dichotomy between a traditional center candidate and an non-aligned left-leaning candidate. Opinion research conducted ahead of his departure 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 50% on the first count, the candidate with the least initial choices is removed and their support is passed to the next preference.
Potential Vote Transfers
It was expected that in the event of his exclusion, most of his votes would go to Humphreys, and the other way around, boosting the chance that a mainstream contender would attain the presidency for the governing partnership.
Function of the President
The role of president is a mostly representative role but incumbents and past holders turned it into a stage for international matters.
Surviving Hopefuls
Connolly, 68, from Galway, would add a firm left-leaning stance to that heritage. She has assailed free-market policies and stated the organization constitutes "a fundamental element" of the people of Palestine. She has charged Nato of militarism and equated the country's raised military budget to the thirties, when Germany underwent rearmament.
Humphreys, 62, has been subjected to review over her performance in government in cabinets that oversaw a accommodation problem. A Presbyterian from the northern county, she has also been faulted for her inability to speak Irish but stated her religious background could aid in securing unionist community in a combined country.
