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 speaks of “a new era” entering.
Sinn Féin with its Catholic supporters won 27 of the 90 seats in parliament. The rival Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) of pro-British Protestants handed in and is allowed to supply 25 delegates. Last time, the difference between the two parties was one seat, in favor of DUP (27 to 28). The centre-liberal Alliance, which wants to put the whole discussion about a reunification with the Irish Republic to the south, won big and went from eight to 17 seats, it became clear last night after the counting of almost all votes. The Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) has 9 seats and the social-democratic SDLP sees 8 candidates elected. Voter turnout was just under 65 percent.
“New Age”
According to Sinn Féin party leader in Northern Ireland, Michelle O’Neill, her party’s victory marks the beginning of “a new era”. She will most likely be the next prime minister. She promises a leadership “that is inclusive, that celebrates diversity, that guarantees rights and equality for those who have been excluded, discriminated against or ignored in the past”.
Reunification with Ireland
The Northern Ireland prime minister has always come from a party that speaks out in favor of maintaining the union with the United Kingdom, while Sinn Féin is just aiming for a united Ireland. 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. Sinn Féin is aiming for that referendum, but does not want it immediately. Northern Ireland emerged a century ago as a Protestant split from predominantly Catholic Ireland.
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.
Difficult government formation
It certainly promises to be a difficult government formation in Belfast. After all, the Sinn Féin Prime Minister will have a DUP deputy next to him. The Good Friday Agreement of 1998 requires Northern Ireland’s parties to form a unity government with the strongest parties from both sides. Jeffrey Donaldson, DUP party leader, reiterated on Saturday that his party will only join a government if the Northern Ireland protocol between the UK and the EU is amended. Former Prime Minister of Northern Ireland Paul Givan of the DUP resigned in February for opposing that protocol.
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