Sinn Féin’s Michelle O’Neill was elected as Northern Ireland’s first minister on Saturday. She becomes the first nationalist leader in the country’s history.
Sinn Féin advocates for a united Ireland, that is, for Northern Ireland to become part of the independent Republic of Ireland. The news about O’Neill has thus led to a political uproar – and now there is increasing concern about increased turbulence in the already polarized Northern Ireland.
O’Neill wants to be “minister for everyone”
However, Michelle O’Neill was careful not to mention ideas of a united Ireland in her first statement.
– Regardless of where we come from and what our ambitions are, we must build our future together, she said after the appointment on Saturday.
She also stressed that she wants to be a “prime minister for everyone”, including those who want to remain part of the UK. The party has also not pushed for a united Ireland in the election campaign.
At the same time, several observers testify to a changed political landscape in Northern Ireland. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said earlier this week that the unification of Ireland was now “within reach”.
Two leaders in parliament
O’Neill will co-chair Parliament with Emma Little-Pengelly of the pro-London Democratic Unionist Party, DUP. They both have the same power, but O’Neill’s role is described as more important purely symbolically.
“It’s a good day for democracy,” said O’Neill, referring to the 2022 election, when Sinn Féin won the most seats in parliament for the first time.
Has been closed for two years
The country’s parliament has been without a functioning parliament since February 3, 2022. This after former Prime Minister Paul Givan of the DUP resigned in protest against the Brexit agreement and the sensitive issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the EU country Ireland.
When a new agreement was announced this week, it was once again possible for parliament to open its doors.