Jeffrey Donaldson, Member of the British Parliament, announced on Monday his candidacy for the head of the Unionist Party of Northern Ireland DUP, after internal divisions which led to the resignation of the head of the formation, against a backdrop of tensions linked to Brexit.
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It is with optimism for the future and recognizing the challenges facing Northern Ireland that today I propose my candidacy for the leadership of the Democratic Unionist Party,
" Jeffrey Donaldson said in a statement. He had previously indicated that if chosen to lead the Unionist formation, he would relinquish his post as MP in Westminster and become head of government for Northern Ireland. The candidates for the head of the DUP have until Tuesday 11:00 GMT to make themselves known, and Jeffrey Donaldson is currently the only one in contention.
The leader of this ultraconservative formation, Edwin Poots, announced his resignation last week, after only three weeks in his post. He had been the victim of an internal sling, like the one that had targeted his predecessor Arlene Foster, accused of having allowed the establishment of customs controls for the supply of goods coming from Great Britain, on the other side of the Irish Sea. In other words: a border within the United Kingdom. Edwin Poots had appointed a faithful, Paul Givan, to fill the post of premier of the province, which took office Thursday. But the last-minute concessions given to Sinn Fein to allow agreement on a new shared government, as foreseen by thethe 1998 peace agreement that ended 30 years of unrest between unionists and republicans, angered his camp.
The context is tense in the British province of 1.9 million inhabitants. Unionists are furious at the Northern Irish protocol negotiated as part of Brexit, which they believe calls into question the place of the province within the United Kingdom. Aimed at avoiding the return of a physical border with the Republic of Ireland, this agreement keeps Northern Ireland in the single European market and customs union for goods. The Northern Irish protocol is the "
number one problem
," Jeffrey Donaldson denounced Monday, promising, if elected, to ensure "
that the government does not just listen, but recognizes the need to take action. decisive steps to quickly deal with the protocol
". Northern Irish Prime Minister Paul Givan assured Jeffrey Donaldson would have his support if he becomes DUP leader.