Northern Ireland’s political crisis: key questions answered

A political crisis erupted in Northern Ireland following the unofficial resignation of first minister Peter Robinson on 10 September 2015, together with other three ministers from his right-wing Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

His resignation followed a dispute within the governing coalition regarding a welfare reform and the status of armed groups that want to reunite with the Republic of Ireland. However, the murder in August of a former member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Kevin McGuigan, also added mistrust between the coalition parties.

• Primary Source

EUObserver, 11.09.15: Northern Ireland crisis deepens https://euobserver.com/political/130211

The Guardian, 10.09.15: Stormont in crisis as Northern Ireland's first minister Peter Robinson resigns http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/10/northern-ireland-government-on-brink-of-collapse

The Wall Street Journal, 10.09.15: Northern Irish Leader Steps Aside, Deepening British Province’s Political Crisis http://www.wsj.com/articles/northern-irish-leader-steps-aside-deepening-british-provinces-political-crisis-1441914798

BBC News, 11.09.15: Stormont crisis: David Cameron calls on parties to attend NI talks http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34217875

BBC News, 10.09.15: NI first minister Peter Robinson steps aside in Stormont crisis http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-34206728

BBC: Newsbeat, 10.09.15: This is why there's a crisis in Northern Ireland http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/34208311/this-is-why-theres-a-crisis-in-northern-ireland

Deutsche Welle, 11.09.15: All communities reject a return to violence in Northern Ireland http://dw.com/p/1GUvx

The Guardian, 10.09.15: Majority of people in Northern Ireland believe peace will not last http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/sep/10/majority-of-people-in-northern-ireland-believe-peace-will-not-last

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