The conservative unionist party, the Democratic Unionist Party, on Saturday recognized the victory of the nationalist Sinn Fein party in the parliamentary elections in Northern Ireland. On the other hand, Sinn Féin speaks of a “new era” that has begun.
“It seems clear that Sinn Fein will emerge as a leadership party,” DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson told Sky News. He reiterated that his party would only join the government if the Northern Ireland Protocol between the United Kingdom and the European Union was amended. Former Northern Ireland Prime Minister Paul Gevan resigned from the DUP in February over his opposition to the protocol.
According to Michelle O’Neill, leader of Sinn Fein in Northern Ireland, her party’s victory marked the beginning of a “new era”. She will most likely be the next prime minister. She promised leadership that is “inclusive, celebrates diversity, and ensures rights and equality for those who have been excluded, discriminated against or ignored in the past”.
The Northern Ireland Prime Minister has always come from a party that speaks in favor of maintaining the union with the United Kingdom, while Sinn Féin’s party aims only at uniting Ireland.
He certainly promises a tough government in Belfast. After all, Sinn Féin’s prime minister will have a deputy DUP at his side. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 requires the Northern Ireland parties to form a unity government with the strongest parties on both sides.
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