ISSUES such as "dual symbolism" and "neutralisation of the political environment" are unusual topics in the context of Belfast City Hall but with the demise of unionist control, they are on the agenda. The question is: how far will it go?
Will the Union Jack continue to fly above the City Hall? Will the traditional loyal toast to the queen remain a feature at civic dinners? Murmurings from the Alliance Party, which holds the balance of power between unionists and nationalists, suggest radical change is unlikely.
The Alliance Party is not new to this game of "piggy in the middle" and has been accused by nationalists of sometimes riding in to "stabilise" the council when the unionist block was "shaky".
Nationalists seem under no illusions about the future control of the City Hall. Some believe the Alliance Party will side with the unionists to appoint a unionist mayor and Alliance deputy.
One SDLP source said: "After all, the reality is that Sinn Fein has 13 seats, the SDLP has seven. There is no nationalist majority on Belfast City Council even though the normal unionist bloc has lost out."
According to an Ulster Unionist Party source, unionists would not welcome "dual symbolism". "That would be seen as joint authority." As for "neutralisation of the council", the Union Jack flying over the City Hall was "not negotiable".
He said there had been a tentative agreement on the queen's toast at civic functions: the mayor or deputy mayor could decide whether it was used.
It is understood Ulster Unionists, before the election, had negotiated a role for the SDLP councillor, Mr Alban Maginness, as an agreed nationalist mayor, whatever the outcome.
An SDLP spokesman denied any agreement. "The SDLP will be meeting soon to decide its approach to negotiations. We will look forward to sitting down with all the parties in council to try and agree a form of government for the city which accommodates both political traditions."
Among Ulster Unionists there was a feeling of "bewilderment" at the lack of response from the unionist community to the local elections.
"Let the unionist electorate see what will be done at the City Hall. Maybe next time, they will come out and vote for us," said a former Ulster Unionist councillor. "People voted very hardline. I believe it is the entrenchment coming up to the marching season."
He predicted that moves the Ulster Unionists had made towards powersharing would ebb and a more hardline attitude would prevail at the main council meetings.
Sinn Fein is expected to push for a rotation of the three main titular posts at the City Hall: the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and High Sheriff of Belfast. Sinn Fein would like all five main parties (the SDLP, Sinn Fein, Ulster Unionists, DUP and Alliance) to take turns at the posts.
A Sinn Fein source said: "We would be entitled to have the posts. How that would work would be a matter of horse trading." It is expected the "horse trading" will begin today.