Northern Ireland Assembly Elections: May 2017?

[Clyde1998]

With two seats to declare in Belfast South:

DUP - 27
SF - 27
SDLP - 12
UUP - 10
Alliance - 8
Green - 1
TUV - 1
PBP - 1
Independent - 1

Probably going to be a Green and a DUP MLA elected in Belfast South from the final two seats, although the UUP might snatch the final seat if the Alliance's and SDLP's votes transfer heavily towards their candidate in this count.

[Clyde1998]

What happens if Sinn Féin and DUP tie? Who becomes Forst Minister and who becomes Deputy First Minister?

I would assume that the DUP would gain the First Minister slot, as they had slightly more first preference votes. Although, I believe the assembly has to approve a joint ticket for First Minister and deputy First Minister, otherwise it's direct rule for Northern Ireland again. I'm not sure if Sinn Fein and the DUP could come to an agreement over who gets the First Minister slot in the event of a tie (despite the dFM role having the same responsibilities).

I would say that it's probably going to be a DUP lead of one seat by the end of this election though.

If the process worked like in Scotland or Wales, it would probably be a Sinn Fein First Minister - given the position and seats of the other parties.

[Clyde1998]

DUP candidate officially elected in Belfast South; fight between Greens and UUP for the final seat.

DUP will be the largest party with 28 seats - two short for a unilateral Petition of Concern. Hopefully this means that the Northern Ireland Assembly can start acting like it's the 21st century rather than the 19th century now.

My only concern is that this result will mean that there will be direct rule now, especially if Arlene Foster is the DUP's candidate for First Minister.

[Clyde1998]

The Greens won the final seat, leaving the Assembly looking like this:

DUP - 28 (-10)
SF - 27 (-1)
SDLP - 12 (N/C)
UUP - 10 (-6)
Alliance - 8 (N/C)
Green - 2 (N/C)
TUV - 1 (N/C)
PBP - 1 (-1)
Independent - 1 (N/C)

It was the Unionists that took the big hit from the seat reduction.

[Clyde1998]

Ìn what may delay or affect government formation, Martin McGuinness, Deputy First Minister and SF leader until 2 months ago, died.

Saw this on Twitter:

@welshnotbritish: "The Martin McGuinness debate summed up in one picture.

"
"The terrorist or the dreamer, the savage or the brave? Depends who vote you're trying to catch or whose face you're trying to save."

It's not like me to quote or share pictures of banners at Celtic Park, but in this case I think it's worth sharing.