For the time being, the unionist and British-minded Party DUP no longer wants to participate in the talks with the Irish government, in protest against the Northern Ireland protocol in the Brexit treaty. That’s what Chief Jeffrey Donaldson announced on Thursday during a speech in Belfast. Only in the health field will DUP still consult.
The protocol is part of the Brexit treaty that governs the UK’s exit from the European Union. This has created a customs border between Great Britain and Northern Ireland which the unionists abhor.
DUP leader Donaldson warned of a failure of the unity government if the problems were not resolved soon. In that case, new elections would take place within a few weeks, it sounds.
Meanwhile, European Commission Vice-President Maros Sefcovic has arrived in Northern Ireland for a two-day visit. “I’m here to listen to and engage with business, civil society and political representatives, ” he wrote on Twitter.