Irish MMA star Conor McGregor reveals presidential candidacy, campaigning on an anti-immigration stance.
Controversial Former Fighter Conor McGregor Plunges into Irish Politics with Anti-Immigration Presidency Bid
In a surprising turn of events, UFC legend Conor McGregor has declared his candidacy for the Irish presidency, citing an opposition to a long-awaited EU migration pact as his primary rationale. Prominent for his far-right ideologies in Ireland, McGregor intends to challenge the government's stance on immigration.
McGregor took to social media last week to announce his decision, stating, "Who else will stand up to the Government and oppose this bill? Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will!"
This announcement comes shortly after McGregor's meeting with former US President Donald Trump at the White House on St. Patrick's Day, where he expressed anti-immigrant sentiment, causing controversy and censure back home.
Ireland, a country of just over 5 million inhabitants, saw 141,600 immigrants arrive in the year leading up to April 2023 - the highest figure in 16 years. Although many are attracted by Ireland's strong economic performance, this influx has led to increased housing prices and rents, causing struggle for many ordinary workers.
McGregor claimed that the government had abandoned the voices of Irish people and that rural towns were being overrun by immigrants. His comments attracted sharp criticism from Irish leader Micheá,l Martin, who stated that they "did not reflect the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland."
Once the face of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, McGregor was the first fighter to hold two UFC belts simultaneously and, according to Forbes, was the world's highest-paid sports star in 2021. Despite several rumored comebacks, he hasn't fought in the UFC since back-to-back defeats four years ago.
Recent years have seen McGregor turning his attention to sparring with people on social media. Analysts and experts suggest that his unique brand of Irish patriotism, which won him supporters as a fighter, has morphed into a strand of far-right Irish nationalism.
If elected, McGregor plans to put the EU migration bill to a referendum, stating, "This is the future of Ireland with me as President." However, securing nominations - which require support from at least 20 members of the Irish Parliament (Oireachtas) or four of the 31 local councils – will be challenging given McGregor's controversial public image.
The next presidential election is scheduled for November 11. With his anti-immigration stance and legal controversies, it remains to be seen whether McGregor can garner enough support to make it to the ballot.
- Conor McGregor's presidential bid in Ireland is centered on his opposition to the EU migration pact, a stance driven by his far-right ideologies that have also been evident in his social media posts.
- As the president of Ireland, McGregor plans to put the EU migration bill to a referendum, highlighting his strong stance against immigration and his intention to represent the voices of ordinary Irish citizens.
- However, securing nominations for the Irish presidency, which requires support from lawmakers or local councils, could be a challenging task for McGregor given his controversial public image and anti-immigration stance.
