The political conflict in Northern Ireland, grounded on opposing interpretations of history, does not yield itself to easy resolution, and it is usually reasonable to be wary of the latest supposed breakthrough. But the decision of the Democratic Unionist Party and Sinn Fein to work together suggests that they are ready to form a coalition government. For the Democratic Unionists, the connection with Britain is a sacred bond, and the Irish Republican Army is a gang of murderers. Sinn Fein regards the British as alien occupiers and believes the IRA was right to seek reunification with the rest of Ireland. The 1998 Good Friday agreement, under which the government is to be formed, was written for more moderate parties.

But Sinn Fein’s Gerry Adams and the DUP’s Ian Paisley were sitting side by side on Monday — for the first time — because each had discovered the delights of political power. There was no handshake at Monday’s press conference, but Paisley promised to consult with Martin McGuinness, an IRA veteran, who will lead the Sinn Fein delegation in the government while Adams tends to Ireland-wide matters. The two parties will now have to negotiate the makeup and procedures of a government scheduled to begin operation on May 8. Perhaps familiarity will breed consensus, not contempt.