The Jim Gavin Pulls Out from Ireland's Election Campaign
In a surprising turn of events, one of the main contenders in the Irish race for president has quit the contest, dramatically altering the election dynamics.
Withdrawal Announcement Reconfigures Election Dynamics
Fianna Fáil's Jim Gavin stepped down on the evening of Sunday following reports about an financial obligation to a previous occupant, turning the election into an unpredictable head-to-head battle between a center-right former government minister and an independent leftwing parliamentarian.
Gavin, 54, a political novice who entered the campaign after careers in sports, airline industry and defense, quit after it came to light he had failed to return a rent overpayment of €3,300 when he was a lessor about in the mid-2000s, during a period of monetary strain.
"I made a mistake that was inconsistent with my character and the principles I uphold. I am currently resolving the issue," he declared. "Reflecting deeply, regarding the possible effects of the ongoing campaign on the health of my relatives and acquaintances.
"Taking all these considerations onboard, I have decided to withdraw from the presidential election contest with immediate action and rejoin my loved ones."
Race Narrowed to Primary Hopefuls
The most dramatic event in a political contest in modern times reduced the field to Heather Humphreys, a past government official who is campaigning for the governing moderate right Fine Gael party, and another candidate, an outspoken advocate for Palestine who is endorsed by a political party and small leftwing opposition parties.
Crisis for Leadership
Gavin's exit also created turmoil for the taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader, Micheál Martin, who had risked his standing by selecting an inexperienced hopeful 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. "Gavin recognized that he made an error in relation to an situation that has arisen in recent days."
Campaign Struggles
Even with a track record of skill and accomplishments in commerce and athletics – under his leadership Dublin's Gaelic football team to five straight titles – his election effort faltered through gaffes that left him trailing in an public opinion measure even before the unpaid debt disclosure.
Fianna Fáil figures who had been against choosing the candidate said the fiasco was a "major error in judgment" that would have "repercussions" – a implied threat to Martin.
Election Rules
His name may still appear for selection in the poll taking place in late October, which will finish the long service of Michael D Higgins, but people must choose between a dichotomy between a mainstream moderate hopeful and an autonomous progressive. A poll taken before his departure gave Connolly a third of the vote and Humphreys nearly a quarter, with 15 percent supporting Gavin.
According to voting regulations, the electorate chooses contenders based on preference. If no candidate exceeds 50% on the first count, the hopeful with the fewest primary selections is removed and their votes are transferred to the subsequent choice.
Potential Vote Transfers
It was expected that should Gavin be removed, a majority of his ballots would shift to the other candidate, and the other way around, increasing the likelihood that a establishment hopeful would attain the presidency for the governing partnership.
Presidential Duties
This office is a largely symbolic post but the current and former presidents made it a venue for worldwide concerns.
Surviving Hopefuls
Connolly, 68, from her home city, would introduce a robust progressive perspective to that heritage. She has assailed free-market policies and said the group represents "a fundamental element" of the people of Palestine. She has accused NATO of promoting military solutions and compared Germany's increased defence spending to the 1930s, when the Nazi leader built up military forces.
The 62-year-old Humphreys, has been subjected to review over her performance in government in cabinets that oversaw a accommodation problem. As a Protestant from the county Monaghan near the border, she has also been criticised over her failure to speak Gaelic but said her faith tradition could aid in securing loyalists in the North in a reunified nation.
