Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Rory Carroll and Lisa O'Carroll in Magherafelt, and Toby Helm

Sinn Féin assembly victory fuels debate on future of union

O'Neill and McDonald surrounded by supporters
Michelle O'Neill (centre left), first minister elect of Northern Ireland, takes a selfie with Sinn Féin party president Mary Lou McDonald at the Meadowbank sports centre in Magherafelt, County Derry. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP/Getty Images

Northern Ireland has slipped into political crisis after Sinn Féin’s triumph in the assembly election triggered calls for a referendum on a united Ireland and the Democratic Unionist party vowed to block the formation of a new power-sharing executive at Stormont.

Jubilant Sinn Féin supporters celebrated across the region on Saturday when final vote counts confirmed a historic victory that turned the former IRA mouthpiece into the biggest party, with the right to nominate the first minister.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.