Executive of the 7th Northern Ireland Assembly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Executive of the 7th Northern Ireland Assembly |
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|---|---|
| People and organisations | |
| Head of state | Charles III |
| History | |
| Election(s) | 2022 Assembly election |
| Legislature term(s) | 7th Assembly |
| Predecessor | Executive of the 6th Assembly |
| Successor | Executive of the 8th Assembly |
The Executive of the 7th Northern Ireland Assembly is like the main team that runs things in Northern Ireland. After an election in May 2022, a new group of politicians was chosen. This group is called the Northern Ireland Assembly. They need to pick a leader, called the First Minister, and a Deputy First Minister. They also need to form the 'Executive' team. But this team hasn't been fully chosen yet.
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Why hasn't the Executive been formed?
After the 2022 election, Sinn Féin became the largest party. Their leader, Michelle O'Neill, is expected to be the First Minister. However, for the government to work, the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) also needs to agree to be part of the Executive.
The DUP has not agreed to join the new government yet. They are protesting against a part of the Brexit agreement called the Northern Ireland Protocol. They believe this protocol creates problems for Northern Ireland.
What is the Northern Ireland Protocol?
The Northern Ireland Protocol is a special rule from the Brexit agreement. It was made to avoid a hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. This means some checks on goods happen when they move between Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Unionists, like the DUP, feel this separates Northern Ireland from the rest of the United Kingdom.
Who are the main leaders involved?
Michelle O'Neill from Sinn Féin is expected to be the First Minister. The DUP leader, Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, was expected to be the Deputy First Minister. However, he decided to stay as a Member of Parliament (MP) in the UK Parliament. He chose Emma Little-Pengelly to take his place in the Assembly.
What happened in the Assembly?
The Assembly met on May 13 and May 30, 2022. But the DUP refused to help elect a Speaker. The Speaker is like the referee of the Assembly. Without a Speaker, the Assembly cannot do important things, like choosing the new Executive.
Because of this, the old Speaker and ministers are still in charge for now. They are in "caretaker roles" until a new Executive can be formed. Or, new elections might be called if the situation doesn't change.
See also
