Posted on 03/27/2025 5:10:56 PM PDT by nickcarraway
He may be in favour with the Trump administration, but Conor McGregor's chances of making the ballot paper in Ireland's presidential poll are close to zero, experts tell Euroverify.
Former martial arts fighter Conor McGregor will very unlikely be able to run for the Irish presidency, two experts have told Euroverify, despite widespread media reports claiming the UFC champion will attempt to appear on the presidential ballot, which is due to take place by 11 November.
McGregor, who has emerged as a figurehead for Ireland's far right, made headlines last Friday when he announced on Instagram he would run for the presidency on an anti-immigration platform.
But several media outlets have failed to explain that his chances of getting his name on the ballot paper are extremely slim.
McGregor, who last year was found liable for raping and battering a woman in Dublin and has faced other allegations of sexual assault in Spain and France, was recently hosted by Donald Trump at the White House as part of a Patrick's Day visit.
He has also received endorsements from Elon Musk and self-proclaimed misogynist Andrew Tate, who faces charges of human trafficking and organised crime involving the exploitation of women.
Speaking from the White House press room, McGregor levelled a string of unfounded allegations at the government in Dublin, claiming that the "illegal immigration racket is running ravage (sic) on the country".
The Taoiseach Micheál Martin hit back saying McGregor "does not speak for the Irish people in any shape or form".
In his announcement on Instagram last Friday, McGregor made misleading promises in his bid to rally support, saying he would "oppose" the EU's migration pact — new legislation aimed at distributing the burden of processing asylum claims across EU member states — and that he would put the pact up to a referendum.
But even if elected to the presidency, he would be unable to deliver on either promises without the government or parliament's backing.
Euroverify spoke to two legal experts to break down why McGregor's chances are all but zero.
Could McGregor run for president?
The Irish president is directly elected by the Irish people for a 7-year term. A president cannot run for more than two terms.
The role is currently held by Michael D. Higgins, who is serving his second term, and the next election must take place by November 11.
A presidential nominee has to be an Irish citizen over the age of 35, criteria which McGregor meets. But the nominee must also either by nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas, the Irish parliament, or by at least four of Ireland's 31 local authorities.
A former president can also nominate themselves.
Eoin O'Malley, professor in political science at Dublin City University, told Euronews the chances of McGregor passing these thresholds are "exceedingly unlikely".
There are no 20 Oireachtas members who would back his bid, O'Malley explained, and while councils have in the past supported candidates' bids, McGregor is "too controversial a figure" for this to happen again.
"This is the highest role in the land. They are the first person of Ireland. so we have put in constitutional quality controls," Jennifer Kavanagh, Law Lecturer at South East Technological University, told Euronews.
"The parliamentary route is going to be pretty much locked in by political party allegiances. The local authority route is pretty much a free for all and we have had some very quirky candidates in the past."
"But remember, that individual is not very popular in Ireland," she added. "It might look like he's very popular outside of Ireland. Within Ireland he is not that popular. He's certainly not as popular as certain social media platforms would like to try and make outsiders think."
Could the president block EU legislation? In his Instagram post, McGregor suggested he could use his powers if elected president to "stand up to the government" and "oppose" Ireland's compliance with recent EU legislation known as the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
The pact, agreed upon by EU countries in December 2023 after years of tough negotiations and rubber-stamped by the European Parliament in April last year, aims to completely revamp the EU's migration and asylum policy.
While all 27 EU countries are obliged to comply with the Pact, two countries —Ireland and Denmark — have the ability to opt out from legislation that concerns asylum, borders, migration, police or criminal justice cooperation.
However, last July, the European Commission confirmed Ireland had "opted in" to the pact after a vote was held in the Oireachtas in July.
A plan to reform Ireland's asylum laws in order to conform with the pact was approved by the government on Tuesday this week.
The Irish presidency is largely a ceremonial role with limited powers, meaning reversing this decision, as McGregor claims he would, would be virtually impossible.
Legislative bills must be signed by the president, but cannot be vetoed. If a president refuses to sign a bill in protest, a Presidential Commission signs on their behalf in a matter of days, and impeachment proceedings may follow.
"They cannot say they're not going to bring in legislation because they don't like it," Jennifer Kavanagh explains. "The test is whether it is constitutional or it is not constitutional."
"The president can also refer legislation to the Supreme Court. But if the Supreme Court says the legislation is constitutional, they have to sign it or they have to resign."
What about holding a referendum?
McGregor has claimed he would "put forth" any bill amending Ireland's asylum rules "to referendum," saying it is the "people of Ireland's choice".
But the Irish president does not have the ability to unilaterally call a referendum.
Two types of referendums can in principle be held in Ireland: a constitutional referendum, which requires the approval of both chambers of the Irish parliament, and an ordinary referendum, which requires a petition to the president from both chambers.
But no ordinary referendum has ever been held in Ireland — and in neither case does the Irish President have the ability to initiate the referendum.
Unlikely that he would be allowed, not that he can’t, they mean.
Why?
The way the laws are written for their elections.
Except it won't be Irish.
In other words, if you’re not in the club, f you and enjoy the migrant invasion.
>>”Unlikely that he would be allowed, not that he can’t, they mean.”
Exactly. It’s another poorly written headline. But the article itself makes a pretty good argument that, as a practical matter, McGregor’s chances of being placed on the ballot at this point in time are exceedingly slim. If he is really serious about ascending to the Irish presidency, he probably needs to run for the Irish equivalent of parliament, the Oireachtas, and spend some time there establishing himself and building relationships and contacts within that body.
Additionally, the Irish Presidency is largely a ceremonial position. Real executive power resides in the position of the Taoiseach, which is essentially a prime minister elected by the legislature.
A few trips to Epstein Island.
Wow! I thought OUR system was convoluted and corrupt.
“McGregor levelled a string of unfounded allegations at the government in Dublin, claiming that the “illegal immigration racket is running ravage (sic) on the country”.
The allegations, in fact, were very well founded. The political leaders of Ireland, such as they are, are giving the country away to hoards of third world invaders.
There must be some sort of revolution, like a work stoppage, peaceful protest or sit ins.
Maybe somebody can come up with a better idea. Did the beat the British to
gain their freedom?
This was civil liability, not criminal.
He's still a toxic thug and attention whore and no one who values their reputation should have any contact with him.
Mick-Gregor sucker-punching middle aged man in Dublin bar for refusing to drink with him:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYMfSI9cZQw
Mick-Gregor throwing a hand-truck at a motor coach (breaking out a window) because wants the world to see how angry he is at UFC fighter Nate Diaz, who is on the bus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4prHSltPMG0
There also have been rape and assault allegations in the women's bathroom in Miami's Kaseya Center, on Corsica, and on a Spanish-flagged yacht in the Med. And he assaulted a DJ in Rome (in front of numerous witnesses), breaking his nose.
He's a bully and a sociopath who to this point has been able to keep buying his way out of jail, a trend that likely will continue until he goes broke or somebody kills him.
Yet, another country controlled by the globalist cabal where free and fair elections are merely an illusion.
Forgot one.
Mick-Gregor assaulted a man coming out of a south Flarduh nightclub because he was filming him with his smartphone. Stole his $1000 phone and smashed it on the sidewalk.
I heard today that over 20% of Ireland’s population wasn’t born in Ireland.
He is not a good person. Mistake to associate with him.
Compared to Ireland’s current rulers, McGregor is a saint.
Maybe in ideological terms, but not as a person.
The current "leaders" of Ireland are allowing what the Vikings, French, Spanish, the English royalty even Oliver Cromwell couldn't do......destroy Ireland and remove those pesky Irish from their island....
I hope I'm alive when the worm turns and Catholics and Prostestants unite to rid their island of the snakes destroying their beautiful country and killing their culture and people.
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