Paisley successor chosen by party
Democratic Unionist deputy leader Peter Robinson was unanimously elected to replace Ian Paisley atop the dominant Protestant party in Northern Ireland -- a victory that means he will become the next leader of the territory’s power-sharing government with Catholics.
Robinson, 59, was expected to replace the 81-year-old Paisley by June both as leader of the Democratic Unionist Party and as the senior minister heading Northern Ireland’s fledgling coalition. No dates have been specified for either move. Nigel Dodds was chosen as the party’s deputy leader.
Robinson currently is the finance minister for Northern Ireland, Dodds the economy minister.
Paisley has been the party’s only leader in its 35-year history.
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