Conor McGregor Eyes Ireland's Presidency in 2025
MMA superstar Conor McGregor is setting his sights beyond the octagon, expressing a keen interest in running for the highest office in the Republic of Ireland in the upcoming 2025 election. The former UFC champion has not seen action in mixed martial arts since July 2021, but he remains a figure who commands attention on social media and beyond.
McGregor, known for his flamboyance and outspoken nature, announced his political ambitions on Twitter, where he laid out his vision for a more proactive head of state. "Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming..." he tweeted, igniting a flurry of reactions from both his supporters and skeptics.
The role of the Irish president, while largely ceremonial, holds significant responsibilities, including appointing judiciaries, signing bills into law, and the power to summon or dissolve the Dáil, the lower house of the Irish legislature. McGregor appears particularly drawn to these powers, vowing to use them to hold current officials accountable. "As president, I hold the power to summon the Dáil as well as dissolve it. So as I said before, I would have all the answers the people of Ireland seek from these thieves of the working man, these disrupters of the family unit, these destructors of small businesses, and on and on and on!"
The next presidential election is slated for October 2025, following the last election held on October 26, 2018. In Ireland, presidents serve a seven-year term and can be re-elected for a maximum of two terms. To throw his hat in the ring, McGregor would need to meet specific criteria: he must be an Irish citizen, at least 35 years old, and secure nominations from at least 20 members of the Houses of the Oireachtas or from four of the 31 county or city councils.
McGregor's entry into politics marks a significant shift from his days as a fighter. However, he seems ready to bring the same level of intensity and directness to the political arena. "These charlatans in their positions of power would be summoned to answer to the people of Ireland and I would have it done by day end. Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely," he declared.
The political structure in Ireland includes a president with ceremonial roles and a Taoiseach, who serves as the head of government. The bicameral legislature consists of the Dáil Eireann and the Seanad Eireann, the upper house. McGregor's sharp critiques and lofty promises aim to resonate with voters disillusioned with the status quo.
McGregor doubled down on his commitment to the Irish people in another tweet: "The people of Ireland deserve the answers they seek. Point blank. This would be my power as President." His rhetoric suggests a no-nonsense approach to governance, positioning himself as a candidate willing to challenge the existing political norms.
While some might view McGregor's presidential aspirations as a publicity stunt, others see it as a natural progression for a man who has continually redefined boundaries in his career. Whether he can translate his success in the ring and his influence on social media into political capital remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that McGregor's candidacy would certainly make the 2025 presidential race one to watch.
As McGregor himself puts it, "Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland." Whether the Irish electorate shares that sentiment will be revealed in due time, as the nation approaches the next chapter in its political history.