BELFAST (dpa-AFX) – In the elections to the regional parliament in Northern Ireland on Thursday, the Catholic-Republican party Sinn Fein can become the strongest political force for the first time. If the surveys are confirmed, it would be a symbolic turning point in the part of the United Kingdom that was created a good 100 years ago.
Campaigning for the Province of London to break away and merge with the Republic of Ireland, Sinn Fein was once the political arm of the militant organization IRA (Irish Republican Army). So far, a Protestant Unionist party has always been the strongest force.
Around 1.4 million people are called to vote. You can cast your vote until 11:00 p.m. (CEST, 10:00 p.m. local time). 90 MPs are elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Five candidates are elected in each of the 18 constituencies.
The result of the vote count is expected on Friday afternoon at the earliest. Should Sinn Fein actually become the strongest force, forming a government may prove difficult. For the first time, the party would then have the right to appoint the head of government (First Minister) in the unity government. However, whether a government can be formed successfully depends on the approval of the strongest Protestant Unionist party, the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), and is therefore considered questionable.
The DUP must reckon with heavy losses. The party has zeroed in on the categorical rejection of the special status for Northern Ireland laid down in the Brexit agreement and burst the previous unity government over the dispute in February. She is demanding that the government in London overturn the agreements with Brussels.
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