Nationalists plan to create a minister responsible for preparing for a referendum on the unification of Ireland

Mary Lou MacDonald, the head of the left-wing nationalist party Sinn Fein in Ireland, has announced that if she wins the parliamentary elections, her political force will intensify actions to unite the island into one state. 

She said this in an interview with PA Media.

She noted that she plans to put pressure on the UK government to define the criteria for holding a vote on constitutional changes in Northern Ireland. 

The party leader is also considering the possibility of creating a minister responsible for preparing for a referendum on Irish unification. 

MacDonald criticizes the current government coalition for the lack of "democratic space" for discussions and preparations for a "constitutional transition." She is confident that a more active unification policy will not necessarily lead to a deterioration in relations with Britain. 

It is noted that the 1998 Good Friday Agreement provides for a referendum on changing the status of Northern Ireland if there is evidence of a change in public opinion in the region. Recent polls indicate a possible victory of Sinn Fein in the next elections in Ireland.