Her five years at the helm of the party have already witnessed some striking highs and lows.
She has been ousted as Stormont First Minister in a row over a botched green energy scheme; led her party through three torturous years of on-off negotiations with Sinn Fein to restore powersharing; and – only a month after devolution finally returned – found herself navigating a fragile coalition through a global pandemic.
But neither her handling of the Covid-19 emergency, the 36-month Stormont vacuum nor the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) furore are the reasons she is facing an internal revolt.
Instead it is Brexit’s Irish Sea border that could ultimately seal her fate.
In her resignation statement, Arlene Foster spoke of the highs and lows of her tenure as DUP leader.
Dotted throughout the 903-word statement, Mrs Foster reflected on her time leading the party over the turbulent five-and-a-half years.
One of her standout moments was the party’s success in the 2016 Assembly election, when voters were asked to support “Arlene’s candidates”.
Her supporters turned out in their numbers and despite predictions of losing seats, the DUP held on to 38 MLAs.
Mrs Foster cited this achievement and the party’s best ever Westminster election result in 2017 as among her high points.
She said that while the focus is on her today, she recognised it would pass.
Robin Swann acknowledges personal sacrifices Arlene Foster will have made as DUP leader and First Minister Robin Swann has acknowledges the personal sacrifices Arlene Foster will have made as DUP leader and First Minister . Picture by Liam McBurney/PA Wire David Young, PA 28 April, 2021 13:15
Health Minister Robin Swann, a former leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, has given a nod to Arlene Foster and the personal sacrifices she will have made as leader of the DUP and First Minister.
Asked about the DUP leadership furore on Wednesday afternoon, Mr Swann said: “The internal machinations of the DUP with their leadership will be for the party to deal with.”
Arlene Foster s tenure as DUP leader never far from controversy DUP leader Arlene Foster and deputy leader Nigel Dodds in Westminster, London, on September 12 2018 following a meeting with then British Prime Minister Theresa May and Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley to discuss the powersharing impasse. Picture by Press Association David Young, PA 28 April, 2021 17:08
The internal push against Arlene Foster was the final twist in a leadership rollercoaster that has been seldom free of controversy.
Her five years at the helm of the DUP witnessed some striking highs and lows.
She has been ousted as Stormont First Minister in a row over a botched green energy scheme; led her party through three torturous years of on-off negotiations with Sinn Féin to restore powersharing; and – only a month after devolution finally returned – found herself navigating a fragile coalition through a global pandemic.