Experts do not expect Conor McGregor to have a chance to run for the Irish presidency, despite media reports suggesting otherwise. McGregor, who has a controversial reputation due to allegations of sexual assault, was hosted by Donald Trump at the White House and has received support from Elon Musk and Andrew Tate. McGregor has made statements attacking the government in Dublin and proposed anti-immigration policies, including opposing the EU’s migration pact. However, legal experts explain that McGregor’s chances of getting his name on the ballot are slim due to the nomination requirements necessary for presidential candidates.
The Irish presidency is an elected position with a 7-year term, and the current president is on his second term. McGregor meets the citizenship and age requirements to run for president, but he must be nominated by either 20 members of the Irish parliament or four local authorities. According to experts, McGregor is not likely to meet these thresholds, as he is considered too controversial a figure for support from these entities. Furthermore, while McGregor has proposed opposing the EU’s migration pact and holding a referendum on asylum rules, legal experts explain these actions would be outside the powers of the Irish president.
McGregor has suggested that if elected president, he would use his position to oppose recent EU legislation, specifically the Pact on Migration and Asylum. While Ireland has the ability to opt-out of certain EU legislation in this area, the country has already opted into the pact. Therefore, it would not be possible for the Irish president to unilaterally reverse this decision. McGregor’s claims of standing up to the government and opposing EU legislation are outside the scope of the president’s limited powers, which do not include the ability to veto legislative bills.
In McGregor’s announcement on Instagram, he promised to put any bill amending Ireland’s asylum rules to referendum, stating that it should be the people’s choice. However, the Irish President does not have the authority to unilaterally call a referendum. Referendums in Ireland require the approval of both chambers of the parliament for a constitutional referendum or a petition from both chambers for an ordinary referendum. McGregor’s proposals for holding a referendum on asylum rules would not be within the powers of the president, as his role is largely ceremonial and does not include the ability to initiate referendums.
Overall, experts believe that McGregor’s chances of running for the Irish presidency are slim due to the nomination requirements and his controversial reputation. While McGregor has made promises of opposing EU legislation and holding referendums, these actions are beyond the powers of the Irish president, who has limited authority in the country’s legislative process. McGregor’s statements regarding immigration and asylum policies may appeal to certain audiences, but they are unlikely to translate into concrete actions if he were to be elected president. Ultimately, McGregor’s aspirations for the presidency are seen as improbable by legal experts familiar with the Irish political process.
