According to the polls, the nationalist Sinn Fein (SF) is on course to overtake the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) and become Northern Ireland's largest party for the first time. The election result will have a significant influence on the negotiations to implement the Northern Ireland protocol and the broader trajectory of EU-UK relations.
SF stands a good chance of being the largest parliamentary party both in Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic over the coming years.
The more secure domestic position of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson may embolden him to take a more uncompromising stance on the protocol.
UK-EU regulatory divergence will cause further tension as the United Kingdom and EU will disagree on Northern Ireland's future path.
