Conor McGregor: "There is no democracy in Ireland"

There is so much concern in this elite government circle about my presidential candidacy. If we were a truly democratic nation — which we are not, and I don't believe we are — it's becoming more evident and clear, and more and more Irish people are waking up to this reality. But if we were, let the people decide.

It’s this closed circle where you almost have to kneel, you know, just to even have a chance. We should be on the ballot, and any citizen of Ireland should be able to run, if they meet a certain age, have a certain conviction, and let the people decide. A place on the ballot to run for president. That’s it.

I don’t expect... wait. Why? This is supposed to be a democracy. Why can’t you run for president? Because there are requirements. You have to get four county councils, which are controlled by the government parties, or you need 20 nominations from the Oireachtas, which are mostly party affiliates. So you can’t just run for president.

So, how is that a democracy? Exactly, there you have it. How is it? It’s not.

—Are you going to do it anyway?

I'm going to move forward and continue on my path, giving visibility to the issues of my country, the struggles of my country, and also the joys of my country.