NIreland eyes smooth succession after end of Paisley era

0 Comments | AFP, March, 2008

BELFAST (AFP) — Northern Ireland's largest Protestant party raced to ensure a seamless transfer of power Wednesday after its leader and the British province's first minister, Ian Paisley, said he would quit.

As tributes poured in, including from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who praised his "historic role" in setting up the power-sharing Belfast assembly, analysts said his successor would differ in style but not substance.

Paisley, 81, said Tuesday he would leave office and step down as Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) leader in May, saying it was "time to move on" after nearly 40 turbulent years on the political frontline.

Peter Robinson, his long-standing deputy, is widely tipped to replace him in what many in the pro-British party and elsewhere...