Northern Ireland Government Formation Deadline Extended to February 8

Democratic Unionist Party continues boycott over post-Brexit trade rules, causing strain on public services.

Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris has extended the deadline for the formation of an executive in Northern Ireland to February 8, 2024.
The Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has been boycotting the power-sharing government since February 2022 due to disagreements over post-Brexit trade rules.
DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has been in talks with the UK government, but no agreement has been reached yet.
The British government is legally obliged to call new Northern Ireland elections now that a previous deadline of Jan. 18 has passed.
The absence of a functioning administration in Northern Ireland has led to public sector strikes and a strain on public services.