Sinn Fein’s Michelle O’Neill appointed as Northern Ireland’s first nationalist First Minister

DUP MLA Emma Little-Pengelly has been appointed as deputy First Minister.

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill speaking after being appointed as Northern Ireland’s First Minister during proceedings of the Northern Ireland Assembly in Parliament Buildings, Stormont,in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on Feb. 3, 2024. Liam McBurney/PA

Stormont’s first nationalist First Minister Michelle O’Neill has pledged to work with unionists to build a better future for Northern Ireland.

The appointment of the Sinn Fein vice president provided a moment of history on the day the powersharing institutions returned after a two-year hiatus.