Here is our guide to what could happen and what it means for Northern Ireland
A Christmas election is looming for Northern Ireland if a new Stormont government is not formed by next week.
Under legislation introduced earlier this year, Stormont's current caretaker ministers can only remain in post for up to 24 weeks without a new Executive being formed. Could another election still be averted? There has been a lot of scepticism as to whether Secretary of State Chris Heaton-Harris will follow through with his legal requirement to call an election.
It appears unlikely that London and Brussels will reach a deal on the protocol at this late stage that would convince the DUP to re-enter the Executive. What happens if an election is called? Most ministers from the previous administration before the last election in May have remained in post in a limited caretaker capacity.
In the absence of an Executive, it is likely an emergency budget for Northern Ireland would be passed through Westminster to give more financial certainty to Stormont departments.
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