News / Politics

Paul Givan appointed as Northern Ireland First Minister amid deepening political crisis

Tuesday, 08 June 2021 5:11 PM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 08 June 2021 5:11 PM ]

Paul Givan (R) will be subordinated to DUP leader Edwin Poots (L) even though he is Northern Ireland's First Minister

As expected Paul Givan has been appointed as Northern Ireland’s First Minister by Edwin Poots, the newly-elected leader of the Ulster Democratic Party (DUP).

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Tensions are rising between the largest pro-British party in Northern Ireland and the UK as DUP leader Edwin Poots breaks with convention by refusing to serve as NI First Minister.

Givan will assume his new role next Monday (June 14), when Arlene Foster is expected to formally stand down.

Foster was ousted as DUP leader in April following an exceptionally acrimonious internal revolt, whose repercussions are still unfolding.

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First elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly in 2010, Givan, who is only 39, will be Northern Ireland’s youngest First Minister.

He has also made the records by becoming the first politician who has ascended the top of the Executive whilst not leading a major unionist party.

Givan described his appointment as a “huge responsibility that comes with the position”.

"We have a huge task when it comes to tackling our waiting lists and we need to get to work", Givan said.

"What we now need is an effective transition that needs to take place next week so that we have that smooth delivery of governance", he added.

The manner of Givan’s appointment – following a long delay by DUP leader Poots – is unlikely to ameliorate the deep internal divisions of Northern Ireland’s biggest unionist party.

Broader developments, specifically the strained relationship between the UK and the European Union over the Northern Ireland Protocol, also cast a shadow on new governing arrangements in Northern Ireland.

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Loyalist gangs rioted for 12 consecutive days over the protocol and other grievances back in April and all indications point to a tense and potentially violent summer ahead in British-controlled Northern Ireland.