For the first time, an Irish nationalist will lead Northern Ireland's government
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Michelle O’Neill, an Irish nationalist, has become Northern Ireland's first minister, marking a historic moment for nationalists. O’Neill, a member of Sinn Fein, was named first minister in the government that shares power equally between British unionists and Irish nationalists. She will share power with deputy first minister Emma Little-Pengelly from the Democratic Unionist Party. O’Neill's nomination is seen as highly symbolic for nationalists, as Northern Ireland was established as a unionist, Protestant-majority part of the U.K. in 1921. The government returned to work after a two-year boycott by unionists. O’Neill's party captured more seats in the Northern Ireland Assembly in the 2022 elections. The government business had come to a halt after the DUP walked out to protest trade issues related to Brexit. O’Neill, who was born in the Republic of Ireland but raised in the north, comes from a family with links to the militant Irish Republican Army. She has been criticized for attending events commemorating the IRA but has emphasized the importance of the Good Friday Agreement. The U.S. President welcomed the restoration of the Northern Ireland executive and assembly. The return to government came exactly two years after a DUP boycott over a dispute about trade restrictions for goods coming into Northern Ireland from Great Britain. The U.K. government agreed to new changes that would eliminate routine checks and paperwork for most goods entering Northern Ireland. The U.K. government also agreed to give Northern Ireland more than 3 billion pounds ($3.8 billion) for its public services once the Belfast government is back up and running.
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