Conor McGregor Launches Petition for Ireland Presidential Ballot Access Amid Legal and Political Hurdles
August 4, 2025
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor has launched a petition to secure a spot on the ballot for Ireland’s 2025 presidential election, challenging the country’s stringent nomination process. Announced on August 4, 2025, via social media, McGregor’s campaign seeks to amend constitutional requirements that he claims restrict democratic participation, but political experts and Irish lawmakers remain skeptical of his chances.
Under Ireland’s Constitution and the Presidential Elections Act 1993, candidates must be Irish citizens over 35 and secure nominations from either 20 members of the Oireachtas (Irish Parliament) or four of Ireland’s 31 local authorities. McGregor, 36, meets the age and citizenship criteria but faces significant barriers in gaining the necessary political support. In his petition, McGregor argues that the nomination process “inadvertently restricts the direct voice of the Irish electorate” and calls for a modification to allow his candidacy, emphasizing a “more inclusive and democratic electoral process.”
McGregor’s announcement follows his high-profile March 2025 White House visit with U.S. President Donald Trump, where he criticized Ireland’s government and promoted an anti-immigration platform, drawing endorsements from figures like Elon Musk and Andrew Tate. However, his rhetoric and past controversies, including a 2024 civil court ruling finding him liable for rape and assault in Dublin, have alienated much of Ireland’s political establishment. A Sky News survey of 134 Oireachtas members found unanimous rejection of his bid, with comments ranging from “not a hope in hell” to labeling him “completely unsuitable” for the presidency.
Experts, including Professor Eoin O’Malley of Dublin City University and Professor Gail McElroy of Trinity College Dublin, estimate McGregor’s chances of securing nominations as “exceedingly unlikely” and “close to zero.” Local councils, dominated by party-affiliated members, are equally unlikely to back the controversial figure, with 187 surveyed councillors unanimously opposing his nomination. A December 2023 Irish Independent poll showed only 8% public support for McGregor, with 89% opposed, underscoring his limited appeal in Ireland despite his global fame.
The petition, hosted on Change.org, echoes a 2018 fan-driven effort to nominate McGregor but has gained little traction among Ireland’s political class. McGregor’s campaign focuses on issues like immigration, small business support, and national security, but the Irish presidency is largely ceremonial, with limited powers to enact such policies. The president can refer bills to the Supreme Court or summon the Dáil, but cannot unilaterally call referendums, contrary to McGregor’s claims about challenging the EU Migration Pact.
As the November 11, 2025, election approaches, confirmed candidates include Fine Gael’s Mairead McGuinness and Independent TD Catherine Connolly, with Riverdance star Michael Flatley also seeking nominations. McGregor’s petition faces an uphill battle, with critics like Fianna Fáil’s Erin McGreehan calling him unfit for a “position of respectability” and others dismissing his bid as a publicity stunt. Whether McGregor can translate his global fanbase into political support remains doubtful, but his campaign continues to stir debate.
For more on Ireland’s presidential election, visit electionsireland.org.