First Minister to be Michelle O’Neill
The Assembly will meet today at 1 pm to elect a new speaker followed by nominations for the first and deputy first minister positions.
Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill will be installed as First Minister, the first time the position will be held by a nationalist, while Emma Pengelly is expected to be the DUP’s nomination for deputy first minister.
The return of Stormont follows the decision by the DUP to end its boycott over Brexit trade rules.
It is exactly two years today since the DUP withdrew its first minister in protest against extra checks and paperwork for goods moving between the North of Ireland and Great Britain.
The move collapsed the power-sharing Executive.
However, on Monday the DUP agreed to return to Stormont after a deal with the British government aimed at addressing unionist concerns over the North’s place within the UK internal market.
The Alliance Party still has not confirmed if they will enter government. Naomi Long was previously held the justice brief.
The UUP says it take up a role in the executive. Robin Swann was the previous Health Minister.
The SDLP, which had one seat in the Executive last time, now doesn’t and will instead go into opposition.
