Political contender Conor McGregor declares intentions to run for Irish presidency following insufficient backing
Conor McGregor, the renowned UFC fighter, has declared his intention to run for the presidency of Ireland in the 2025 election. However, his bid faces several challenges due to the current nomination requirements and a lack of political support[1][3].
In Ireland, a presidential candidate must secure the support of at least 20 members of the Irish Parliament (Oireachtas) or the backing of at least 4 county or city councils to be officially nominated[1][3]. McGregor, however, has not been successful in obtaining these nominations from Irish politicians or local councils[3].
To overcome this hurdle, McGregor has launched a public petition on Change.org, advocating for reform of the nomination rules to allow candidacies without these institutional endorsements. This move is aimed at promoting a more inclusive and democratic electoral process[1][3][5].
The 2025 presidential election is scheduled to take place on or before November 11, 2025[4]. However, McGregor's campaign faces political opposition and social controversy. Polls indicate low voter support for his candidacy, with a poll published by the Irish Independent showing that only 7% of people would vote for a McGregor presidency[2][3].
McGregor's bid is also overshadowed by previous legal and public controversies. Last week, he lost his appeal in a civil rape case[2]. This controversy, along with others, has significantly impacted his popularity in Ireland[3].
The President of Ireland holds a ceremonial role and is elected directly by the people. The President's powers are limited, with the ability to appoint judiciaries and sign bills into law[6]. The Republic of Ireland's legislature consists of Dail Eireann, Seanad Eireann, and the elected president[6]. The head of government in Ireland is the Taoiseach.
Despite these challenges, McGregor remains undeterred. He has shared the petition on social media, calling on his supporters to sign it and help him achieve his goal[7]. As he embarks on this unconventional political journey, McGregor hopes to inspire a change in Ireland's nomination process and give ordinary citizens a greater say in who appears on the presidential ballot[1][3].
| Aspect | Details | |---|---| | Nomination Requirements | 20 Oireachtas members or 4 county/city councils to nominate | | McGregor's Status | Declared candidacy; lacks official nominations; petitioning for nomination law reform | | Election Date | On or before November 11, 2025 | | Challenges Faced | Political opposition, low public support, legal/political controversies | | Presidential Role | Ceremonial, with limited powers to appoint judiciaries and sign bills into law | | Petition Goal | Reform of the nomination rules to allow candidacies without institutional endorsements | | Current Popularity | Low voter support, as indicated by polls |
As the 2025 presidential election approaches, it remains to be seen whether McGregor's campaign will succeed in changing the nomination process and securing enough support to become a viable candidate.
[1] https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/conor-mcgregor-launches-petition-to-run-for-president-of-ireland-41632845.html [2] https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/other-sports/conor-mcgregor-loses-rape-case-appeal-1.4714932 [3] https://www.bbc.com/sport/boxing/62172854 [4] https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/act/1/section/22/enacted/en/html [5] https://www.rte.ie/news/politics/2022/0218/1268551-mcgregor-wants-to-run-for-president/ [6] https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/1937/act/29/enacted/en/html [7] https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/politics/conor-mcgregor-launches-presidential-bid-petition-on-change-org-41656270.html
In his quest to change the nomination process for Ireland's presidential election, Conor McGregor has launched a petition on Change.org, advocating for reform to allow candidacies without institutional endorsements. McGregor's goal is to make the electoral process more inclusive, giving ordinary citizens a greater say in who appears on the presidential ballot.
Despite low voter support, as indicated by polls, and facing political opposition, legal controversies, and a lack of institutional backing, McGregor remains undeterred in his bid to run for the presidency of Ireland in 2025. The election, scheduled to take place on or before November 11, 2025, will be a crucial test for McGregor's campaign, determining whether he can overcome the current nomination challenges and secure enough support to become a viable candidate.
The President of Ireland holds a ceremonial role, with limited powers to appoint judiciaries and sign bills into law. As McGregor embarks on this unconventional political journey, he hopes to inspire a change in Ireland's nomination process and demonstrate the power of popular support in the democratic process.
Future developments on Conor McGregor's political career will be closely followed by news outlets covering general news, sports, crime and justice, politics, war and conflicts, and NFL and sports-betting news, as his unusual candidacy promises to generate significant interest and debate in the lead-up to the 2025 Irish presidential election.
