A historic breakthrough in British Northern Ireland: the pro-Irish Sinn Féin has become the largest party in the parliamentary elections for the first time. The so-called Irish nationalists can now supply the new prime minister. Until now, pro-British parties have always won, who want Northern Ireland not to become part of Ireland.
Sinn Féin, with its Catholic supporters, won at least 27 of the 90 seats in parliament. The rival Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of pro-British Protestants lost and stands at 24 MPs. Last time, the difference between the two parties was one seat, in favor of DUP (27 to 28). The centre-liberal Alliance won big, going from eight to at least 17 seats. Two have yet to be assigned.
The winning party leader Michelle O’Neill spoke of a defining moment in history and the harbinger of a new era. “This day symbolizes fundamental change,” the politician responded to the report that her Sinn Féin, as predicted Friday, had become the largest faction in the Northern Ireland parliament.
According to O’Neill, there must now be an “honest debate” about the party goal of unification with the Republic of Ireland. The election victory does not change the status of Northern Ireland for the time being. To leave the United Kingdom, a referendum is required and the British government decides on this. That could take years.
Sinn Féin is the former political wing of the IRA, a movement that fought violently to join Ireland. The party’s current leader has already said he wants to focus on rising costs of living and health care.
Sinn Féin does want a referendum on the reunification of Northern Ireland with Ireland, but does not want that immediately. Northern Ireland emerged a century ago as a Protestant split from predominantly Catholic Ireland.
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