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What happens now after Humza Yousaf's resignation? How will Scotland's next first minister be chosen?
(3 days later)
Who could lead the SNP following Humza Yousaf's resignation? John Swinney is expected to be the only candidate in the SNP leadership contest
Who could lead the SNP following Humza Yousaf's resignation? John Swinney looks set to become leader of the SNP and Scotland's next first minister.
The contest to become Scotland's seventh first minister is beginning after Humza Yousaf announced he is to resign. Current FM Humza Yousaf announced his resignation in the wake of the turmoil which followed his decision to end a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.
The embattled SNP leader, under threat from two motions of no confidence in the Scottish Parliament, confirmed his decision in a statement at Bute House. Mr Swinney looks likely to be the only candidate in the SNP leadership contest, which would then lead to his appointment as first minister in the coming days.
It followed the collapse of a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.
Mr Yousaf said he intended to remain as first minister until a new SNP leader is chosen, as was the case when his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon stepped down last year.
How will the SNP choose a new leader?How will the SNP choose a new leader?
SNP leadership candidates are required to get 100 nominations from at least 20 local party branches.SNP leadership candidates are required to get 100 nominations from at least 20 local party branches.
National secretary Lorna Finn confirmed nominations opened on Monday at 23:59 and would close next Monday at noon. The decision of former finance secretary Kate Forbes not to stand means Mr Swinney is currently the only candidate.
If more than one candidate received the required nominations, the next stage would be a ballot of members using a single transferable vote system. Nominations will close at noon on Monday. If no other candidates come forward and meet the requirements, Mr Swinney will become the new SNP leader.
Last time round the contest took about a month to complete, before parliament confirmed Mr Yousaf as the nomination to become first minister. If more than one candidate does receive the required nominations, the next stage would be a ballot of members using a single transferable vote system.
The SNP's National Executive Committee is expected to announce a timetable for this year's process shortly. The new party leader would then need to seek parliamentary approval to succeed Mr Yousaf as first minister.
The next party leader would need to seek parliamentary approval to succeed Mr Yousaf as first minister.
How is a new first minister selected?How is a new first minister selected?
The parliament has 28 days to nominate a replacement for Mr Yousaf once his resignation has been accepted by the King.The parliament has 28 days to nominate a replacement for Mr Yousaf once his resignation has been accepted by the King.
As Mr Yousaf has decided to continue as first minister until a new party leader is selected, the countdown will not start until his successor is appointed by the SNP.As Mr Yousaf has decided to continue as first minister until a new party leader is selected, the countdown will not start until his successor is appointed by the SNP.
If there was only one candidate for the parliamentary nomination, they would only need a simple majority of votes in favour to secure the nomination. The selection of a new first minister takes place in the Scottish Parliament. The timing is decided by the parliamentary bureau, and could take place as early as Tuesday.
The leaders from other political parties can also put themselves forward. If that happens, as was the case when Mr Yousaf was confirmed as first minister last year, any candidate that secured more than half of all votes would win the nomination. The leaders of other political parties can also put themselves forward during this process, although they do not expect to win. Any MSP can nominate a candidate, although it must be seconded by another member.
If no-one reached that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes would be eliminated. This process would be repeated until the field was whittled down to two. If there is more than one candidate, any one who secures more than half of all votes will win the nomination.
If no-one reaches that threshold, the candidate with the fewest votes will be eliminated. This process will be repeated until the field is whittled down to two.
At that point, a candidate would only require a simple majority to win the nomination, meaning they only have to gain more votes than their opponent.At that point, a candidate would only require a simple majority to win the nomination, meaning they only have to gain more votes than their opponent.
Any MSP can nominate a candidate, although it must be seconded by another member. Opposition parties usually field their own leaders as alternative candidates to be first minister, though they do not expect their person to win. The SNP has 63 seats in the parliament, which means it does not have a majority.
Whoever wins the vote is then formally appointed by the King. However, the party's nominee would be expected to win the vote and become first minister.
However, should the parliament fail to agree a nomination for first minister within 28 days, the presiding officer would be required to propose a date for an "extraordinary general election". When could the new FM be in place?
Could the whole government resign? If John Swinney becomes the new SNP leader on Monday, it is expected that Humza Yousaf would formally resign as first minister on Tuesday.
Mr Yousaf had been facing two motions of no confidence this week, one tabled by the Scottish Conservatives in his own leadership as first minister and another from Scottish Labour on the government as a whole. There could then be a vote in the Scottish Parliament that afternoon to choose the new first minister.
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross withdrew his party's motion on Tuesday and said it had "achieved its purpose". The parliament's presiding officer then recommends to the King that the winner be appointed as the new first minister.
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said his party would push ahead with its motion of no confidence in the government. The debate and vote will be held on Wednesday afternoon. There would then be an official swearing-in ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. This is likely to happen on Wednesday.
If the motion passed, government ministers would be obliged to stand down. Only a simple majority would be required, meaning the number of members voting for would have to be greater than those opposed. Should the parliament fail to agree a nomination for first minister within 28 days, the presiding officer would be required to propose a date for an "extraordinary general election". However, this has never happened in Scotland.
The parliament would then have 28 days to choose a nominee for first minister. If it was unable to do so, the parliament would be dissolved for an election.
The SNP currently have 63 MSPs, meaning they could be defeated if all MSPs from other parties voted against them.
However, the Greens, who have seven seats, have said they will not support the motion following Mr Yousaf's statement.
When it was put to Mr Sarwar that Labour's no-confidence motion in the government was likely to fail without Green support, he told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland: "It's of course for other political parties to decide how they vote in that motion, but I think the principle still applies in our motion and that's why we're pushing ahead."
Related TopicsRelated Topics
ScotlandScotland
Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament
SNP (Scottish National Party)SNP (Scottish National Party)
Humza YousafHumza Yousaf