The cabinet member says he has heard “sincere concerns” from across the region on the impact and expense of a new election at this time.
Northern Ireland will not hold elections for the Assembly in December, according to state secretary Chris Heaton-Harris.
The cabinet minister stated that he had heard “sincere concerns” from across the region over the impact and expense of a new election at this time.
Next week, he will describe his next moves before the legislature, he said.
There had been rumors that the election will be held on December 15.
Mr. Heaton Harris is required by law to call elections within twelve weeks of the 28th of October when the time for Northern Ireland parties to create a new power-sharing executive expired.
The British government could modify legislation at Westminster to extend or eliminate the time limit to give Stormont more time to resolve the impasse.
A DUP boycott of the devolved institutions in protest of the Northern Ireland Protocol (NIP) has delayed the formation of a government following the May election.
Mr. Heaton Harris said in a statement, “At midnight on 28 October, I was required to call an election for the Assembly.
My involvement with political parties has remained since then.
I have had fruitful conversations with individuals around Northern Ireland, including business and community leaders.
“I have listened to their serious concerns on the impact and expense of a current election”
He added: “I can now state that there will be no Assembly elections in December or before the holiday season.
“Current law mandates that I pick a date for an election to be held within 12 weeks of October 28, and I will make a statement in parliament next week outlining my next steps.
“The restoration of a robust devolved government is my goal and what the people of Northern Ireland deserve.
“It is my responsibility to foster an atmosphere in which the parties in Northern Ireland can collaborate to restore the devolved institutions and address critical challenges affecting the people of Northern Ireland.
I do not take this responsibility lightly, nor do I ignore the genuine concerns people have over their standard of living.
In response to the postponement, DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson issued a tweet: “We must be laser-focused on finding a solution, whether through discussion or legislation.
“Until NIP is replaced with arrangements that unionists can support, there is no solid foundation for a fully functional Stormont; progress in Northern Ireland can only be done when both unionists and nationalists are on board.”
The protocol was intended to avoid a hard border with Ireland, but it has put economic hurdles on the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, infuriating many unionists and loyalists.
The DUP has refused to return to Stormont until the issue is resolved with serious action.
The government of the United Kingdom has committed to seek revisions to the deal, either through a negotiated compromise with the EU or through proposed domestic legislation that would allow ministers to reject the arrangements without Brussels’ permission.
Opponents have compared the Northern Ireland Protocol Bill to “putting a gun on the table” in solution-seeking talks with the EU, arguing that it violates international law and risks a trade war.
