Sinn Fein Party Wins Control In Northern Ireland

The Associated Press reports:

The Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein, which seeks unification with Ireland, hailed a “new era” Saturday for Northern Ireland as it captured the largest number of seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly for the first time in a historic win.

With almost all votes counted from Thursday’s local U.K. election, Sinn Fein secured 27 of the Assembly’s 90 seats. The Democratic Unionist Party, which has dominated Northern Ireland’s legislature for two decades, captured 24 seats.

The victory means Sinn Fein is entitled to the post of first minister in Belfast — a first for an Irish nationalist party since Northern Ireland was founded as a Protestant-majority state in 1921.

Read the full article.

Sinn Fein hails ‘new era’ as it wins Northern Ireland vote (from @AP) https://t.co/vrA0CmQCM1

— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) May 7, 2022

The outcome is hugely symbolic. A party that aims to unite Northern Ireland with the neighboring Republic of Ireland has a mandate to take the reins in a state established a century ago as a Protestant-majority region within the United Kingdom. https://t.co/gsSOfv2uEr

— The Associated Press (@AP) May 7, 2022

Many congratulations to @moneillsf and @MaryLouMcDonald on a truly historic result for Sinn Féin. I wish Michelle & her colleagues – & all Northern Ireland’s elected representatives – the very best for what comes next & hope to see the NI government functioning again soon.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) May 7, 2022

Sinn Féin is to become the first nationalist party to take control of the Northern Ireland Assembly in its 101-year history. #AE22 https://t.co/SdXb1pGgba

— Áine McMahon (@AineMcMahon) May 7, 2022