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05/06/2002
Maskey poised to become Belfast’s First Citizen
Belfast City Council is poised to elect its first republican lord mayor this evening.
A decision by the moderate Alliance Party to support Sinn Féin’s representative for Laganbank Alex Maskey means that Sinn Féin should have enough votes to secure the post of First Citizen.
While the Alliance Party have only three councillors in Belfast, they hold the balance of power between nationalists and unionists at City Hall.
The Alliance Party announced last Friday they would support Mr Maskey’s bid to replace the current Lord Mayor of Belfast, Ulster Unionist Jim Rodgers.
In a news conference the party said it believed it was the right decision to make.
The leader of the Alliance grouping on the council, David Alderdice, said they had agreed to come out in favour of Mr Maskey after a lot of “soul-searching”.
It is expected the party will come under a lot of pressure today from unionists to throw their weight elsewhere particularly in light of paramilitary orchestrated riots in east Belfast over the past week.
However, Mr Alderdice and party leader David Ford held talks with Security Minister Jane Kennedy, who told them that the Government’s view was the IRA’s ceasefire remained intact.
The nationalist SDLP will also support Mr Maskey in the vote tonight. Speaking last week Margaret Walsh of the SDLP said that the party had supported Sinn Féin in the past and would do so again this year.
Unionist parties account for 25 of the 51 councillors, while the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Féin have a combined total of 23.
In the face of unionist opposition, the party’s three votes will be crucial in determining if Mr Maskey succeeds at Wednesday’s council meeting.
(AMcE)
A decision by the moderate Alliance Party to support Sinn Féin’s representative for Laganbank Alex Maskey means that Sinn Féin should have enough votes to secure the post of First Citizen.
While the Alliance Party have only three councillors in Belfast, they hold the balance of power between nationalists and unionists at City Hall.
The Alliance Party announced last Friday they would support Mr Maskey’s bid to replace the current Lord Mayor of Belfast, Ulster Unionist Jim Rodgers.
In a news conference the party said it believed it was the right decision to make.
The leader of the Alliance grouping on the council, David Alderdice, said they had agreed to come out in favour of Mr Maskey after a lot of “soul-searching”.
It is expected the party will come under a lot of pressure today from unionists to throw their weight elsewhere particularly in light of paramilitary orchestrated riots in east Belfast over the past week.
However, Mr Alderdice and party leader David Ford held talks with Security Minister Jane Kennedy, who told them that the Government’s view was the IRA’s ceasefire remained intact.
The nationalist SDLP will also support Mr Maskey in the vote tonight. Speaking last week Margaret Walsh of the SDLP said that the party had supported Sinn Féin in the past and would do so again this year.
Unionist parties account for 25 of the 51 councillors, while the nationalist SDLP and Sinn Féin have a combined total of 23.
In the face of unionist opposition, the party’s three votes will be crucial in determining if Mr Maskey succeeds at Wednesday’s council meeting.
(AMcE)
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06 June 2002
Alex Maskey invested as 'Mayor' of Belfast
Belfast saw its first republican Lord Mayor invested last night after Alliance Party councillors gave their backing to Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey as first citizen. Mr Maskey, a councillor since 1983, was voted in after the first round of voting netted the leading republican 26 votes he needed to win the simple majority ballot.
Alex Maskey invested as 'Mayor' of Belfast
Belfast saw its first republican Lord Mayor invested last night after Alliance Party councillors gave their backing to Sinn Fein's Alex Maskey as first citizen. Mr Maskey, a councillor since 1983, was voted in after the first round of voting netted the leading republican 26 votes he needed to win the simple majority ballot.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
