Overview

• On August 4, McGregor launched a Change.org petition demanding constitutional changes so candidates can bypass endorsements from members of the Oireachtas or county councils and appear on the presidential ballot.
• Ireland’s constitution currently requires at least 20 parliamentary or four council nominations to qualify for candidacy, a rule McGregor believes restricts voter choice.
• His petition reiterates his March declaration to seek the largely ceremonial presidency and promotes the office as a platform for direct citizen engagement.
• The effort has mobilized supporters in Ireland and among the diaspora, illustrating McGregor’s use of populist tactics to circumvent party structures.
• His unconventional campaign has been driven by opposition to the EU Migration Pact and amplified by his high-profile meeting with President Trump.