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Sinn Féin Vice-President Northern Ireland Michelle O'Neill here in Londonderry on January 25, 2019. REUTERS / Clodagh Kilcoyne

In Ireland, the nationalist party Sinn Féin is holding its annual congress this weekend in Derry, Northern Ireland. The party is present on both sides of the border. The reunification of both Ireland has always been part of its demands. But this year, it seems more pregnant than ever.

With our special correspondent in Derry, Emeline Vin

The Derry Convention Center is lined with posters in the colors of Ireland. On these posters, the motto of this edition 2019: Time for Unity, the time of reunification.

In her opening remarks, Vice President Michelle O'Neill sets the tone: " We are entering a decade of opportunity. The only solution to the chaos of Brexit is unification. The question is no longer whether, but when the referendum on reunification will take place. Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar can no longer ignore this reality. I call on his government to convene a forum to set up these discussions. Leo, wake up, because your people have a time in advance. "

" I am certain of one thing: the referendum is coming, " said Michelle O'Neill. But in the crowd of members attending the congress, not everyone is as categorical as Martin McGovern has been for years.

" I think it's going to take two, three more years. There is a new dynamic. In the Good Friday agreement , it says that we can hold a referendum if the context changes. It could not change anymore with the exit of the European Union. Of course, the referendum will be held, that's for sure. But we will not do like the English, we will first discuss. "

The debate on Irish unity was the first in the program . All motions supporting reunification have been widely adopted.

► See also: Brexit report: what impact for Dublin in Ireland?