Belfast is set to have its first Sinn Féin lord mayor after the Alliance Party, which holds the balance of power on the city council, yesterday decided to support Mr Alex Maskey for the post.
With Alliance, SDLP and Sinn Féin votes, Mr Maskey, a Sinn Féin MLA, is almost certain to be elected on Wednesday evening when the Belfast City Council next convenes. Alliance has three councillors and when its votes are combined with those of Sinn Féin and the SDLP, Sinn Féin should have 26 votes against 25 unionist votes.
Sickness, abstentions or other unexpected absences could spoil Mr Maskey's chances but up to last night the odds were on Sinn Féin achieving another historic breakthrough.
Both the Ulster Unionist Party and the DUP said that the Alliance initiative would spell the death knell for the centrist party. However, Dr David Alderdice, Alliance group leader on the council, said that while supporting Sinn Féin was not an "easy decision", it was the correct decision.
He said that Alliance opposed and prevented Sinn Féin taking the position last year but that since then the IRA had engaged in two acts of decommissioning. "It was late and was less than satisfactory but at least the process has been commenced," said Dr Alderdice.
Alliance was also impressed by Sinn Féin's responsible attitude to Queen Elizabeth's recent visit to Northern Ireland. Dr Alderdice reminded unionists who opposed the move that, even before the loyalist paramilitary ceasefires, it supported the election as lord mayor of Mr Hugh Smyth, a member of the Progressive Unionist Party, which is linked to the UVF.
Dr Alderdice said Alliance had many concerns about issues such as that in Colombia, Sinn Féin's refusal to support the new policing arrangements, and alleged IRA murders and assaults, and that it would continue to hold the party to account for such activity.
"The best way to end continued IRA activity is to consolidate the primacy of the democratic process," he added. "The onus is now on Sinn Féin to take up the responsibility of this office and to demonstrate that they can act in an inclusive and responsible mann- er." Mr Maskey, welcoming the Alliance move, said: "If elected, I will work with everyone in City Hall and use my office to facilitate all sides."
Former Ulster Unionist Belfast lord mayor Mr Bob Stoker said Alliance was committing "political suicide" by supporting Mr Maskey.
DUP MLA Mr Sammy Wilson said the party's support for Mr Maskey was a "kamikaze" move by Alliance.