His grasp of economics only reinforced the main political attack, aside from links to violence, on Sinn Féin: that it cannot be trusted with the economy. But other parties will not allow Sinn Féin to leave the IRA behind. Sinn Féin has also made clear its willingness to enter government as a junior coalition partner and the change in leadership will undoubtedly help in that regard. Questions also arise about how Sinn Féin will be run under a new leader. Does the coming of McDonald, then, mean Sinn Féin could develop into a less ideologically left-wing, more pragmatic party?

Source: The Irish Times November 18, 2017 21:56 UTC