In a historic development, Republican Michelle O’Neill has become the new First Minister of Northern Ireland, marking the first time that Sinn Féin, the political arm of the IRA, has taken control of Ulster in a “power-sharing” government. O’Neill assumes the position after a two-year political vacuum that was marked by Brexit tensions and a unionist boycott.

Michelle O’Neill, 47, whose father was an IRA political prisoner, expressed her commitment to leading positive change and working with other political forces for the progress of society. She emphasized the importance of respect, cooperation, and equality in her new role. This is seen as a significant opportunity to create hope and foster growth, ensuring that Northern Ireland never regresses to its troubled past.

The recent agreement between the British Government and the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has allowed for the return to political normalcy in Ulster. The DUP, the second most voted force in May 2022, decided that Jeffrey Donaldson would retain his MP seat in Westminster, and Emma Little-Pengelly would become the deputy chief minister. Edwin Poots, the former leader of the DUP, assumed the role of president of the Stormont Assembly.

For over two decades, Sinn Féin has played a supporting role in Northern Ireland’s governance. Notably, the partnership between Ian Paisley and Martin McGuinness brought about a decade of stability. However, tensions arose during the formation of the new government and distribution of portfolios, highlighting the ongoing divisions among unionists. Rishi Sunak, the UK Prime Minister, welcomed the Stormont Assembly’s reestablishment as a positive step toward restoring institutions in Northern Ireland.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has indicated that her party’s rise to power in Northern Ireland brings the island’s unification closer. However, a recent poll by The Irish Times revealed that support for unification remains at 30%, while 51% favor remaining in the United Kingdom. The poll also highlighted the ongoing division in Ulster, with 40% identifying as nationalist, 40% as unionist, and 20% as non-aligned. Sinn Féin’s increased support has largely come at the expense of the Social Democratic and Labour Party.

Jon Tonge, a professor at the University of Liverpool, predicts that there will never be a unionist chief minister in Northern Ireland again. He suggests that while the unionist state may be over, it does not signify the end of the union. Tonge also notes the significant popular support Sinn Féin has gained, despite the party’s reluctance to recognize Northern Ireland as a political entity.