Unique development in Northern Ireland: Catholic Sinn Fein wins election

On Thursday, people across the UK went to the polls. Municipal elections were held in most parts of the country, but parliamentary elections were held in Northern Ireland.

These elections are complicated by the great tensions between the various parties. The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which has always been the largest in recent years, is a Protestant and union party. This means that the party wants to belong to the United Kingdom.

Originated from the Irish Republican Army

On the other hand, Sinn Fein is a Catholic and feels more connected to the Republic of Ireland. Sinn Fein originated from the Irish Republican Army, the Irish Republican Army. This group carried out attacks on British targets, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, and demanded the reunification of Ireland.

Since the signing of the peace agreement in 1998, Sinn Fein has tried to shake off the IRA’s past, but opponents remain skeptical. However, Sinn Féin managed to win 27 seats in the Northern Ireland Parliament in the election. The competitor’s DUP does not exceed 25.

So Sinn Féin is allowed to supply the new Prime Minister of Northern Ireland. This would be Michelle O’Neill, who led the party to victory. This is the first time in more than 100 years that a Catholic party has won the largest number of seats in Parliament.