Conor McGregor Eyes 2025 Presidential Bid
Conor McGregor, the renowned mixed martial artist known for his audacious persona both inside and outside the octagon, has set his sights on a new form of competition: the presidency of the Republic of Ireland. In a series of tweets, McGregor declared his intention to run for the head of state in 2025, a move that has taken many by surprise.
McGregor, who has not competed in mixed martial arts since July 2021, has always been a polarizing figure. His announcement on Twitter was no different, stirring reactions from a slew of followers and media outlets. "Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland," McGregor tweeted. "It is me. I am the only logical choice. 2025 is upcoming...".
The role of the Irish president is quite ceremonial but not without its significant responsibilities. Besides representing the country on the global stage, the president has the authority to appoint members of the judiciary, sign bills into law, and summon or dissolve the Dáil, the lower house of the Irish parliament. McGregor seems to relish these powers, stating, "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!"
The current seven-year term of the Irish president allows for re-election to a second term. The next election, slated for October 2025, offers McGregor a legitimate shot at stepping into the role currently occupied by the incumbent president, who was elected on October 26, 2018. Whether McGregor can translate his popularity in sports to success in politics remains to be seen.
Running for the presidency in Ireland is no small feat. Aspiring candidates must be Irish citizens, 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. Though McGregor’s popularity is indisputable, it remains to be seen whether he will secure the necessary political support.
McGregor's rhetoric has already set the stage for a combative campaign. He has been vocal about his disdain for current political leaders, referring to them as "charlatans in their positions of power" and declaring his intent to interrogate them thoroughly were he to assume office. "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," he tweeted. "Or I would be left with no choice but to dissolve the Dáil entirely."
The mixed martial artist has always shown a flair for drama and spectacle, traits which have brought him immense success in his UFC career. Whether these traits will serve him well in the political arena is another question entirely. Yet, McGregor’s commitment to giving the people of Ireland what he believes they deserve is firm. "The people of Ireland deserve the answers they seek. Point blank. This would be my power as President," he wrote.
The Republic of Ireland's political structure, typically marked by the ceremonial figurehead of the president and the more politically engaged role of the Taoiseach (prime minister), could see a dramatic shift should McGregor’s bid succeed. His influence could very well reshape the traditional boundaries of this division.
While McGregor's sporting career may be on pause, his vision of the future remains active. "Ireland needs an active President employed wholly by the people of Ireland," he reiterated, underscoring his belief that he is the right person for the job.
As the 2025 election approaches, it will undoubtedly be interesting to observe how McGregor’s campaign unfolds, who his potential opponents might be, and whether the electorate—a populace both enamored by his martial prowess and skeptical of his political inexperience—will rally behind him. It's a leap from the octagon to the Áras an Uachtaráin (the presidential residence), but if there's one thing McGregor has proved time and again, it's that he is never afraid to take a bold leap.