Conor McGregor Eyes Presidential Candidacy in 2025
In a surprising twist, Conor McGregor, the iconic Irish mixed martial artist, has announced his intention to run for the head of state in the Republic of Ireland come 2025. Although widely known for his exploits inside the octagon, McGregor is now setting his sights on a political journey, declaring his aspirations via Twitter.
"Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland. It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming..." McGregor tweeted, making his ambitions clear to his millions of followers.
McGregor has been absent from the mixed martial arts scene since July 2021, and his intention to transition into politics might be seen as the next chapter of his storied career. While the role of the Irish president is largely ceremonial, it includes significant powers such as appointing judiciaries, signing bills into law, and summoning or dissolving the Dáil (the lower house of the legislature).
McGregor's declarations suggest a readiness to use these powers decisively. "As president, I hold the power to summon the Dail 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!" he tweeted forcefully, reinforcing his stance against what he perceives as political misconduct.
The Republic of Ireland's presidency, a position held for a seven-year term with the possibility of re-election for a second term, will witness its next election in October 2025. The previous election took place on October 26, 2018. For McGregor to be a viable candidate, he must not only meet the age and citizenship requirements but also secure nominations from at least 20 members of the Houses of the Oireachtas or from four county or city councils.
The political landscape of Ireland includes a president who fulfills largely ceremonial duties. However, McGregor’s commentary suggests he is prepared to push the boundaries of this traditional role. "The people of Ireland deserve the answers they seek. Point blank. This would be my power as President," McGregor tweeted, indicating his vision of a more actively involved presidency.
In another tweet, McGregor further emphasized his no-nonsense approach to governance: "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."
The Republic of Ireland operates under a bicameral legislature, comprising the Dáil Eireann (the lower house) and the Seanad Eireann (the upper house). While the Taoiseach acts as the head of government, wielding executive power, the president's influence is generally constrained to ceremonial obligations and certain constitutional powers. McGregor’s rhetoric suggests he intends to utilize these constitutional powers to their fullest extent should he assume office.
McGregor's ascent from combat sports superstar to presidential hopeful marks an unprecedented move in Irish politics. His popularity, charisma, and reputation for bold statements make him a wildcard in the upcoming election landscape.
As 2025 approaches, it will be interesting to see how McGregor's campaign develops and whether he can translate his sporting success into political triumph. One certainty remains: Conor McGregor has never shied away from a challenge, and his foray into politics is poised to be no different.