Historical turning point
Sinn Fein wins general election in Northern Ireland
May 7, 2022 at 9:37 p.m
The Catholic-Republican party Sinn Fein’s first victory in the general election in Northern Ireland could mean major political changes for the entire island. Because the chances of reunification with Ireland are increasing significantly.
The Catholic Republican party Sinn Fein has emerged as the strongest party in the general election in Northern Ireland for the first time. That was clear after counting most of the votes in the evening. According to this, the party, which was once considered the political arm of the militant organization IRA, won at least 27 of the 90 seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly. Sinn Fein thus replaced the Protestant Unionist DUP as the strongest force, which had to accept heavy losses. It is the first time that a party has become the strongest force campaigning for the country’s detachment from Great Britain and a union with the Republic of Ireland and is considered a symbolic turning point in the history of the province, which was founded over 100 years ago.
Sinn Fein’s top candidate, Michelle O’Neill, had already celebrated the announcement of the results in her Mid-Ulster constituency in the afternoon, surrounded by flashbulbs and thunderous applause from her party friends. You now have the right to the post of Prime Minister (First Minister). So far, parties that advocate maintaining the union with Great Britain have always provided the head of government. Forming a government could prove tough.
“Today is a very momentous day of change,” O’Neill said in a speech. She added: “Today begins a new era that gives us all the opportunity to redefine relationships in society on the basis of fairness, equality and social justice regardless of social background.” O’Neill called on the other parties to cooperate to form a government. According to the peace agreement of 1998 known as the Good Friday Agreement, the largest parties from both denominational camps in the former civil war region must agree to work together in a unity government. However, the largest Protestant Unionist party, the DUP (Democratic Unionist Party), has already announced that it does not want to join a government in protest at Northern Ireland’s special Brexit status.
Health and cost of living dominate election campaigns
The issue of Irish unity, on the other hand, played only a minor role in the election campaign. Instead, Sinn Fein focused on social issues such as the rising cost of living and health. O’Neill announced that she wanted to focus primarily on these issues as the future head of government. At the same time, she called for a broad social debate on Irish unity. “Let’s all work together on a common plan,” O’Neill said.
The DUP, meanwhile, increased pressure on the British Prime Minister to break the Brexit deal. “Boris Johnson now has a choice: either the Good Friday Agreement or the Northern Ireland Protocol,” said former DUP parliamentary group leader Nigel Dodds. If Johnson does not repeal the protocol, his party will not participate in a unity government, Dodds said.
Northern Ireland Protocol could promote reunification
The Northern Ireland protocol of the Brexit treaty provides for a special status for the province to avoid border controls with EU member Republic of Ireland. However, goods must now be checked if they are brought into Northern Ireland from England, Scotland or Wales. The DUP fears this could be the first step in Northern Ireland’s detachment from Britain. Boris Johnson reached the agreement with Brussels against the will of the DUP, but has since repeatedly threatened to scrap it. Should that happen, a clear reaction from Brussels could be expected.
However, it is questionable whether the DUP has done itself any favors with its hard line. On the one hand, it is likely to have lost votes to the TUV, which is even more radically opposed to the Northern Ireland Protocol, but on the other hand, a number of former DUP voters probably made their cross with the Alliance Party this time. The non-denominational party wants to put the dispute between supporters and opponents of an Irish unification behind it and was able to more than double the number of MPs compared to the last election.