Former mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor has formally withdrawn from consideration for the next Irish presidential election. The decision was made just hours before he was supposed to meet with Kildare County Council and Dublin City Council to try to get the nominations he needed to run on the national ballot.
McGregor said in a public statement that “careful reflection” and discussions with his family led to the decision. Many of his fans were dismayed by the news, but McGregor insisted that taking a step back was “the right one at this moment in time.” He had been outspoken about his political aspirations on social media in recent months, urging followers to support his nomination. His lack of participation in early council talks, however, sparked concerns about his genuine level of dedication.
What Does It Take to Run for Irish President?
Clear eligibility requirements for presidential candidates are outlined in Ireland’s Constitution. A candidate must be an Irish national, be at least 35 years old, and be nominated by four of the 31 local authorities in Ireland or by 20 members of the Oireachtas, the country’s parliament. September 24 is the last day to get the required endorsements. The actual presidential election is set for October 24.
McGregor was scheduled to address two local councils on Monday, but he decided to drop out of these important meetings. The formal step of meeting with elected authorities to present his argument in a public setting was never accomplished by his campaign. Here is the link to our article on the Election Candidate Barred.
What Caused McGregor to Leave?
According to McGregor, the choice was made after careful personal deliberation and family conversations. Additionally, he denounced the nomination process as a “straitjacket” that impedes a free and fair democratic election. Although his supporters had urged local council members to nominate him, he missed early chances to introduce his program, raising questions about his sincerity as a candidate.
In order to avoid answering questions directly from the public and elected officials, he decided to leave before his planned appearances at city council meetings. His decision to withdraw from the contest was probably motivated by this as well as growing public scrutiny.
Did He Make His Choice Based on Legal Considerations?
McGregor lost a well-known civil case earlier this year involving a 2018 sexual assault accusation. Despite his denial of the charge, a jury decided in the plaintiff’s favor and mandated that McGregor pay damages. The lawsuit had a big effect on how people saw him, especially when he was thinking about running for public office.
McGregor’s prospective candidacy was opposed by numerous lawmakers from all political stripes in Ireland. Many publicly declared him unfit for public office, pointing to his contentious actions as well as his legal issues. His path to candidacy was probably unworkable due to these issues, as well as procedural difficulties. Here is the link to our article on the Election Bid Criticized.
Who Are the Verified Applicants?
Now that McGregor is formally out of the running, focus is on the candidates who have obtained the support necessary to be included on the Irish presidential ballot. Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit have all backed independent Catherine Connolly. Jim Gavin has received the support of Fianna Fáil, the biggest party in the Irish parliament. In the meantime, Fine Gael, which presently shares power in a coalition government with Fianna Fáil, has chosen Heather Humphreys as its candidate.
The main opposition party in the Republic and the most powerful party in Northern Ireland, Sinn FĂ©in, has not yet said if it would put forward a candidate. Only a few days before the formal nomination date of September 20th, a decision is anticipated.
Final Thoughts
After a campaign that garnered a lot of attention, Conor McGregor’s decision to withdraw from the Irish presidential election represents a turning point. Although his social media following and public appeal raised awareness of the campaign, his aspirations to become president were ultimately dashed by legal issues and a lack of official political involvement. Now that a number of eligible applicants are in the running, Ireland’s attention is once again on individuals with proven public service backgrounds. The Irish presidential election will now proceed without one of its most contentious potential candidates as the nation gets ready to cast its ballots.
