The Jim Gavin Withdraws from Irish Election Campaign
In a surprising turn of events, one of the primary hopefuls in the Irish race for president has withdrawn from the contest, dramatically altering the entire competition.
Withdrawal Announcement Transforms Campaign Landscape
The party's Jim Gavin pulled out on Sunday night following reports about an unpaid debt to a past renter, transforming the contest into an uncertain direct competition between a moderate right former government minister and an autonomous progressive parliamentarian.
The 54-year-old Gavin, a political novice who was parachuted into the campaign after professional experiences in sports, airline industry and defense, stepped aside after it came to light he had not repaid a rent overpayment of €3,300 when he was a lessor about a decade and a half ago, during a period of financial difficulty.
"I made a mistake that was not in keeping with my character and the standards I set myself. Corrective actions are underway," he declared. "After careful consideration, concerning the influence of the ongoing campaign on the welfare of my relatives and acquaintances.
"After evaluating everything, My decision is to step down from the campaign for president with immediate action and go back to my family."
Contest Reduced to Primary Hopefuls
The biggest shock in a political contest in living memory narrowed the contest to one candidate, a ex-minister who is campaigning for the incumbent center-right political party Fine Gael, and another candidate, an outspoken pro-Palestinian voice who is endorsed by Sinn Féin and left-leaning minor parties.
Challenge for Party Head
The withdrawal also triggered a crisis for the leader of Fianna Fáil, the party chief, who had put his reputation on the line by nominating an unproven contender over the doubts of fellow members.
The leader stated Gavin did not want to "create turmoil" to the presidential role and was correct to step down. "He acknowledged that he was at fault in relation to an issue that has come up lately."
Election Challenges
Even with a track record of capability and achievements in business and sport – Gavin had steered the Dublin football squad to five straight titles – his political bid struggled through missteps that put him at a disadvantage in an survey even before the unpaid debt disclosure.
Fianna Fáil figures who had objected to picking Gavin said the situation was a "serious miscalculation" that would have "consequences" – a barely concealed caution to Martin.
Voting System
His name may stay on the voting paper in the vote scheduled for October 24, which will conclude the lengthy term of President Higgins, but voters now face a two options between a traditional center candidate and an independent leftwinger. Survey results prior to Gavin's exit gave 32 percent backing for Connolly and 23 percent for Humphreys, with the former candidate at 15 percent.
Under electoral rules, people pick candidates in order of preference. If no candidate exceeds a majority in round one, the contender receiving the lowest primary selections is excluded and their votes are transferred to the next preference.
Likely Support Redistribution
Analysts predicted that if Gavin was eliminated, the bulk of his support would transfer to Humphreys, and vice versa, boosting the chance that a pro-government candidate would attain the presidency for the governing partnership.
Function of the President
This office is a primarily ceremonial position but incumbents and past holders transformed it into a platform on global issues.
Surviving Hopefuls
The 68-year-old Connolly, from her home city, would introduce a robust progressive perspective to that tradition. She has assailed capitalist systems and stated the organization constitutes "part of the fabric" of the Palestinian community. She has accused Nato of militarism and compared the country's raised military budget to the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler rearmed the country.
The 62-year-old Humphreys, has been subjected to review over her time in office in cabinets that oversaw a property shortage. A Presbyterian from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been criticised over her failure to speak Gaelic but stated her Protestant heritage could help win over loyalists in the North in a combined country.
