PAUL FAITH / AFP
This is the first time that a member of Sinn Féin, the pro-reunification republican political party in Ireland, has taken charge of local government.
The first clap of thunder to resume the international – parliamentary process. In Northern Ireland, a major political event ended a two-year deadlock in Parliament with the election of Michelle O’Neill, the first Republican to head the Northern Irish government.
This Saturday, February 3, the leader of Northern Irish Sinn Féin, formerly the political face of the IRA (Irish Republican Army), was appointed as Prime Minister after the restart of the institutions of the English province. They have now been suspended for two years due to a boycott by unionists from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) to oppose post-Brexit trade provisions.
It was also a Unionist, Emma Little-Pengeley, who was chosen as Deputy Prime Minister by the Stormont Parliament in Belfast. A decision linked to co-governance resulted from the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which famously ” troubles “
“Building a Better Future”
For Northern Ireland scarred by three decades of bloody conflict (3,500 deaths), this unprecedented change also “A Historic Day” And one “new age” By Michael O’Neill, in favor of the unification of Ireland.
In front of the elected officials, she also promised the legislature “for everyone”Emphasized that he was “Inconceivable to (his) parents’ generation” that the nationalists lead the Northern Irish Executive.
At 47, the Sinn Fein figure did not fail to recall the British province’s heavy historical past. “I am sorry for all the lives lost during the conflict, without exception”She declared before discussing the still delicate task of reconciliation: “We cannot change the past”But “We can create a better future”.
Victory for Sinn Fein
This historic day is also historic for his party Sinn Fein. A political group advocating the reunification of the Republic of Ireland with Northern Ireland came first in the May 2022 election, an unprecedented change for a political party that is finally taking shape.
Because after months of negotiations with the British government, the DUP ended its boycott this week. This led to the paralysis of the assembly and the local executive, where power is shared between federalists and republicans. This is enough to deprive the new prime minister of his post until Saturday.
Mary Lou MacDonald, leader of Sinn Féin for the whole island of Ireland, did not fail to recall this key political turning point: “Today is a win for everyone, demonstrating that equality and inclusion are on the agenda.” Northern Irish Government “Couldn’t be in better hands”She said when Michelle O’Neill arrived in Parliament.
Local governments responsible for areas such as housing, health, employment, agriculture and environment should now be formed. For two years, it has been London that has managed current affairs, an additional source of irritation for the population. The reopening of Northern Irish institutions will allow London to release 3.3 billion pounds sterling (about 3.9 billion euros) to support public services, which have recently been hit by major strikes.
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