Back in March, mixed martial arts legend Conor McGregor announced his intention to run for president of his native Ireland.
The general election is set for October 24, with McGregor having until September 24 to obtain the required support to be on the ballot. In order to secure a nomination, he needs the requisite support.
“In order to be considered a candidate, a person over the age of 35 must be nominated by at least 20 members of Dáil or Seanad Éireann, or no less than four administrative counties (County Councils),” say Ireland’s formal election laws. “Former or retiring Presidents may become candidates on their own nomination.”
With less than three weeks until that deadline, McGregor is urgently asking fellow citizens for support.
On Thursday, McGregor posted a video of himself in front of major Irish government buildings in Dublin, asking for help.
“Our councillors are the backbone of our communities. They work harder and deliver more for the people than those in the Oireachtas (Irish parliament), who continue to fail this country time and again,” McGregor wrote “If you are a councillor who feels your voice is ignored, your hands tied, and your community overlooked, then I ask you to stand with me. Nominate me, and I will give you the platform and power to be truly heard.”
McGregor viewed as ‘far-right, anti-immigration’
In his previous public political messages, McGregor has preached against immigration and espoused other populist viewpoints, representing what some have deemed a “far-right” Irish nationalism.
“Ireland is at the cusp of potentially losing its Irishness,” McGregor said during an appearance at the White House with President Donald Trump back in March, during which he voiced his opposition to a new European Union migration proposal.
In his video today, McGregor again spoke against “mass migration” and said the current government of Ireland has cost citizens their “peace of mind, security, and hope for the future.”
“The general well-being of Irish citizens nationwide has decreased dramatically,” McGregor added.
‘Close to zero’ chance of winning
Despite McGregor’s accomplishments in the octagon and his popularity among some of his fellow countrymen and women, at least one expert is not giving him much of a chance of getting elected, if he even makes the ballot.
“Close to zero,” Gail McElroy, a professor of political science at Trinity College Dublin, told Sky News after McGregor announced his campaign.
In addition to concerns about being able to drum up enough support for his policies, McElroy said she thought McGregor’s checkered past would cost him.
Last November, McGregor, 37, lost a civil rape case to Nikita Hand, who accused him of raping her, and also has other accusations of assault and sexual assault on his resume.
“His reputation in Ireland has always been less glowing and the [civil] case certainly hasn’t helped. The general view is that Nikita Hand was very brave and very impressive and very strong,” McElroy said.
“I can imagine him being a bit of a joke candidate for some people, you know, young men thinking we’re going to have a bit of fun but there just really isn’t a sufficient constituency for him there, especially in light of that civil case.”
