Early elections in Northern Ireland seem inevitable. The country should have a new government by Friday, but has been in a political stalemate since February. This is because of disagreements about the Brexit agreement.

The cause of the political crisis was that the country’s second party, the Democratic Unity Party (DUP), prevented the formation of a new board. The government of Northern Ireland must be made up of unionists and republicans.

However, the DUP refused to nominate a minister. The party did this in protest against the trade agreement made on Northern Ireland following Britain’s departure from the European Union. According to the DUP, the treaty undermines Northern Ireland’s current status as part of the United Kingdom.

Elections end in May. Since then, the DUP has ceased to cooperate with Republican election winner Sinn Féin. On Thursday, in an emergency meeting of parliament, the DUP refused to elect a new chairman. It was an important intermediate step towards the formation of a new government.

Big chance new election in December

Under Northern Ireland law, a new government must be formed within a maximum of 24 weeks after the election. The period ends in the evening from Thursday to Friday at 1:00 (Dutch time).

Therefore, the opportunity for new elections is very large. Insiders have already calculated that new elections will be held in mid-December.

The British government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has not given up hope. “There is still time,” said a Sunak spokesman. “Speak up, because the people of Northern Ireland deserve a fully functioning and locally elected government that can solve problems.”