Northern Ireland Voters Give Sinn Fein Its Biggest Win Ever<br />By SINEAD O’SHEAMARCH 4, 2017<br />In the closest election results ever in Northern Ireland, Sinn Fein, the main Catholic nationalist party, won only one<br />seat fewer than the Democratic Unionist party, throwing nearly two decades of peaceful power sharing into turmoil.<br />DUBLIN — Sinn Fein, the main Catholic nationalist party in Northern Ireland, won its greatest number of legislative seats ever after a snap election this weekend, creating a virtual tie with its Protestant rivals<br />and throwing nearly two decades of peaceful power sharing into turmoil.<br />arty on Saturday said that "she will be remaining as the leader." If the two leading parties do not reach agreement within the three-week time frame imposed by the British-appointed secretary of state for Northern Ireland, James Brokenshire, the government must either call another election or reimpose direct rule.<br />that The Democratic Unionist Party leader, Arlene Foster, is now under pressure to step down, but a statement from the p<br />The Democratic Unionist Party is allied with Britain’s Conservative Party, which is pursuing Brexit, while<br />Sinn Fein wants Northern Ireland to stay in the European Union and eventually merge with Ireland.<br />Michelle O’Neill, Sinn Fein’s new leader, called the outcome "a great day for equality"<br />and said she wanted negotiations to begin "as soon as possible." In addition to concerns over Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, known as Brexit — which a majority of voters in Northern Ireland did not support — many residents were angry about a botched incentive plan for green energy that was put in place by the unionists.<br />Its rival, the Democratic Unionist Party, made up of Protestants who support remaining a part of Britain<br />and which previously held a majority, lost 10 seats and were left with 28.
