LONDON, UK

Sinn Fein secured a historic victory on Saturday after taking control of the Northern Ireland Assembly following momentous local elections.

The Irish republican party secured a majority of 27 seats in Stormont, becoming the first nationalist party to take control of the assembly in its century of existence. Michelle O’Neil, Sinn Fein’s vice president, will take the position of first minister.

The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), which had been the largest party since 2007, was pushed into second place with 25 seats, with the non-aligned Alliance Party in third place with 17 seats and the Ulster Unionist Party (UUP) with nine seats.

“This has been an historic election. An election of real change. I will lead the Sinn Fein team to Stormont on Monday, ready to get the Executive up and running right away. To put money in people’s pockets. To invest in our health service. And to build a better future for all,” said O’Neil.

On Thursday and Friday, voters across the UK voted in nationwide local elections that saw new councils being elected in Scotland, Wales, and parts of England. In Northern Ireland, voters elected 90 new members of the assembly that forms the Northern Irish devolved government.

Following Sinn Fein’s victory, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among the first leaders to congratulate O’Neil on a “truly historic win.” There have also been calls for the creation of an effective executive after a period of direct rule from London following disagreements stemming from Brexit.

“Power sharing and principles of partnership, equality and mutual respect are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement, through which peace has been secured and progress achieved for almost 25 years,” Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin said in a statement. “A new power sharing Executive is vital for progress and prosperity for all in Northern Ireland.”

Under the 1998 Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, nationalist and unionist parties cannot form a government if the other party does not nominate a first minister and deputy first minister. Thus, the DUP will need to nominate its leader as the deputy first minister in order to form such a government.

Sinn Fein, which also operates in the Republic of Ireland in the south, seeks a united Ireland and has argued for a referendum on the unity of the two countries. Under the principles of the Good Friday Agreement, such a referendum could be held under the right conditions.

Although Sinn Fein has repeatedly called for a referendum on uniting Northern Ireland with the republic, its victory in the devolved government does not automatically give it the right to hold one.