Sinn Féin refusal to replace McGuinness set to trigger Northern Ireland elections

Irish republican party Sinn Féin has refused to nominate a new deputy first minister in Northern Ireland, triggering the collapse of the power-sharing government between unionist and nationalist politicians, and fresh elections.

Sinn Fein’s Martin McGuinness resigned as deputy first minister last Monday in protest at First Minister Arlene Foster’s refusal to step aside while a public inquiry is held into an energy scheme whose costs have spiralled out of control.

The party had until midday to nominate a replacement for him, however in a midday motion in the devolved parliament, they have refused to do so. As a result, the Northern Ireland Assembly can no longer continue to govern.

If Sinn Féin fails to nominate a new deputy first minister by 5:00pm local time (4:00pm CET) on Monday, the UK’s Northern Ireland secretary, James Brokenshire, will have to set a date for fresh elections. Under the complex rules of power-sharing in Northern Ireland, a government cannot survive if one section of the community refuses to participate.

It is unclear whether McGuinness will stand as a candidate in the forthcoming elections.

May earlier held talks with Foster and McGuinness in a late effort to save the Stormont government, stressing that it had a role to play in Brexit negotiations.

While Stormont is collapsed, UK Prime Minister Theresa May might be unable to trigger Article 50 as the Northern Ireland Assembly will be unable to approve the plans. The Supreme Court is currently considering Stormont’s role in the mechanism. A decision is expected to be announced by the judges in the coming days.

May’s spokeswoman said: “She spoke to both Arlene Foster and Martin McGuinness to encourage them to use what time was left today to try to find a resolution to the situation in Northern Ireland, outlining the importance of finding a way forward – particularly in the context of wanting to make sure that Northern Ireland has a voice in the UK’s exit from the European Union as we approach the critical period before triggering article 50.”

A short time later, Foster said at Stormont: “Northern Ireland does not need an election, it needs stable government.” She said Sinn Féin had “forced an election that risks Northern Ireland’s future and stability and which suits nobody but themselves”.