Ex-UFC president Conor McGregor has formally registered his name for Ireland’s next presidential election, making him a strong critic of the European Migration Pact. His decision came just days after a meeting with former US President Donald Trump.
Posting on X, McGregor announced his willingness to run against the government, saying, “The next presidential election has to happen by 11 Nov 2025. Who else will resist the government and fight against this bill? Any other candidate they nominate will be no opposition to them. I will!”
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A bitter EU new migration policy critic, McGregor asserts that the people of Ireland rather than the government must have the last word. He promised to submit the question to referendum if he were elected, stating, “While I abhor this pact, it is not mine or the government’s decision to make. It is the choice of the people of Ireland! That is genuine democracy!”
While self-assured, McGregor has little chance of gaining a spot on the ballot. He would have to get support from either 20 members of the Oireachtas (Ireland’s parliament) or four local councils a difficult hill to climb, say experts.
“Most party members of the Oireachtas won’t nominate him because they’re afraid of alienating their own potential supporters,” Professor Gail McElroy at Trinity College Dublin explained.
Even if he does qualify, his prospects look slim. According to a recent survey by Irish Independent, voters were only 8% in favor of McGregor, while 89% against him. McElroy reported that McGregor’s negative public image had heavily undermined his prospects, saying, “Conor McGregor is toxic in Ireland.”
