Michelle O'Neill's appointment as the First Minister of Northern Ireland marks a historic milestone and the first time an Irish nationalist has held the position. The appointment comes after a two-year deadlock in Parliament and is a result of Sinn Fein's rising popularity in the British region. O'Neill's appointment signals a shift to a new generation of Sinn Fein politicians and a move toward reconciliation in a region long divided by sectarian conflict. The appointment also signifies a significant shift in political preference among a younger generation of Irish voters, as Sinn Fein has become the most popular party in Northern Ireland. Her appointment as First Minister comes amid intense pressure to deliver on public services after the region's two-year political hiatus.