Northern Ireland has to go to the polls again. Parliament failed to form regional government in time. The political crisis caused by differences of opinion about the Brexit deal was inevitable.
The Northern Irishmen went to the polls for the last time in May. A new government must then be formed within 24 weeks. It failed. Now, by law, new elections must be held within twelve weeks.
The fact that the formation failed can mainly be blamed on the Democratic Union Party (DUP). Due to international trade agreements after Brexit, the parties of the two countries refused to nominate ministers. According to the DUP, the agreement weakened Northern Ireland’s position in the UK. On Thursday, the party blocked one ultimate effort to form a government.
The DUP had to participate in the formation of the new government, as Northern Ireland’s government had to be both unionized and republican. Therefore, the winner of the election from the republican party, Sinn Féin, cannot ignore the DUP. But since the election results, the unions have refused to cooperate.
Chris Heaton-Harris, the British minister for Northern Ireland, officially announced on Friday that Northern Ireland should return to the ballot. The date has not been set. Heaton-Harris said to reveal more details next week. Insiders reckoned on the poll in December.
It remains to be seen whether fresh elections can help break the deadlock. Opinion polls have been virtually unchanged since May and the DUP maintains the position that the Brexit deal must be readjusted first.
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