Liam McBurney
Foster announced on Wednesday that she would resign as head of the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party) and a month later as First Minister.
The politician from the Protestant-loyalist camp had come under considerable pressure in the past few days. The tensions in the former unrest province had recently increased again. Many supporters of the union with Great Britain feel disadvantaged by the regulations in the Brexit agreement. During her time as DUP boss, Foster played a prominent role in the Brexit talks at times.
The Northern Irish government is led by the strongest parties of the two denominational camps. Vice-Prime Minister Michelle O’Neill from the Catholic-Republican Sinn Fein is considered equal.