In a surprising turn of events, former MMA champion Conor McGregor has announced his intention to run for the presidency of Ireland.
This announcement comes hot on the heels of his recent meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The current Irish President, Michael D. Higgins, is unable to seek a third term due to term limitations.
During his White House visit on St. Patrick's Day, McGregor reportedly broached the topic of immigration, expressing his concern about the potential loss of Ireland's unique identity. "Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness," he stated, attributing this to an "illegal immigration racket" that was "running ravage on the country."
As reported by The Hill, McGregor, 36, will be campaigning against the European Migration Pact. This pact aims to establish a streamlined approach to border security and immigration, as well as expedite the asylum process for European Union members.
The European Migration Pact has been met with mixed reactions among the European Union's 27 member nations. Only 14 of these nations met the Dec. 12 deadline to submit plans on how they will implement the pact, which is slated to take effect in June 2026. Poland is among the EU nations that have voiced opposition to the pact, with calls for stricter immigration controls echoing from other quarters.
McGregor took to social media on Thursday to share his views on the upcoming presidential election, which must take place by Nov. 11, 2025. "Who else will stand up to Government and oppose this bill? Any other Presidential candidate they attempt to put forward will be of no resistance to them. I will!" he wrote. McGregor also expressed his intention to put the bill to a referendum if elected president. "Although I oppose greatly this pact, it is neither mine nor governments choice to make. It is the people of Irelands choice! Always!"
The former MMA champion, who was a guest at Trump's second inauguration, has been mulling over the idea of running for office for some time. When asked about his political ambitions at the time, he responded, "We will see. We will see. We will see," according to the Daily Mail.
In Ireland, the prime minister wields most of the governmental power. Michel Martin, the current prime minister, has publicly criticized McGregor's comments on immigration. "Conor McGregor's remarks are wrong, and do not reflect the spirit of St Patrick's Day, or the views of the people of Ireland," Martin wrote in a social media post.
Trump, a known fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championships where McGregor once competed, has yet to comment on McGregor's presidential bid. As McGregor embarks on his political journey, it remains to be seen how his stance on immigration and the European Migration Pact will resonate with the Irish people.
In his announcement, McGregor emphasized his commitment to giving the people of Ireland a voice in their future. "All citizens of Ireland have a voice and a choice for their future! God bless our people! Vote McGregor and have your voice heard," he wrote. As the race for the Irish presidency heats up, McGregor's entry adds an unexpected twist, promising an interesting contest ahead.
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