The people of Northern Ireland have done their civic duty. They have mandated the political parties with management responsibility in proportion to their Assembly seats and they now expect them to exercise it. The function of the election was to provide a devolved executive and an Assembly that would deal with everyday economic and social issues. The parties have less than three weeks in which to execute that mandate.
The Democratic Unionist Party has emerged as the undeniable leader of unionism, having stretched the lead it established over the Ulster Unionist Party in the last Assembly and Westminster elections. The woes of the UUP are further compounded through a loss of support to the Alliance Party. There is a similar pattern within the nationalist community where Sinn Féin confirmed its domination over the SDLP.
The increased support awarded to the DUP and Sinn Féin was, however, clearly circumscribed by voters. Both parties had signalled their willingness to enter government and form an executive; the DUP by confirming the Rev Ian Paisley was prepared to become first minister, and Sinn Féin by endorsing the criminal justice system and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. Dissident republican candidates opposed to powersharing, along with rebellious unionists and the United Kingdom Unionist Party, were relegated to the political sidelines.
In spite of such a clear public appetite for compromise, there is talk of delay and procrastination concerning the March 26th deadline set by legislation for the establishment of an executive. That may be a tactical move by the DUP, designed to provide cover for a future political compromise while, at the same time, exerting pressure on the British government to deliver the financial resources necessary to cope with issues like water rates, education and the health services. On the other hand, it could reflect traditional rigidity. And there is a danger that - in seeking to extract maximum political advantage from its election success - the DUP may precipitate dissolution of the Assembly and the introduction of direct rule through the British and Irish governments.
Political deadlines have been missed, rather than met, in Northern Ireland. And, in the past, republicans frequently failed to step up to the mark. This time, things are different. The IRA has disarmed and Sinn Féin, in the words of Martin McGuinness, has declared "wholehearted support for the PSNI". The party desperately wants to enter government. But the DUP appears determined to impose a period of political quarantine. Nothing but ritual and humiliation can be served by such an approach. And a great deal may be lost.
The electorate does not expect DUP and Sinn Féin politicians to like one another.There is too much trouble in their history. But, for once, the voters seem to be ahead of their politicians in Northern Ireland. They want them to form a government and, in the real sense of the word, move to "normalise" politics.