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How will Scotland's next first minister be chosen? How will Scotland's next first minister be chosen?
(3 days later)
John Swinney is expected to be the only candidate in the SNP leadership contestJohn Swinney is expected to be the only candidate in the SNP leadership contest
John Swinney looks set to become leader of the SNP and Scotland's next first minister. John Swinney looks set to become Scotland's next first minister after being named leader of the SNP.
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. Outgoing first minister Humza Yousaf resigned during the turmoil that followed his decision to end the Scottish government's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.
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. Mr Swinney won the SNP leadership unopposed after potential rivals pledged their support to him.
How will the SNP choose a new leader? He will now seek a nomination from parliament to become first minister.
SNP leadership candidates are required to get 100 nominations from at least 20 local party branches.
The decision of former finance secretary Kate Forbes not to stand means Mr Swinney is currently the only candidate.
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.
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 new party leader would then 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. Mr Yousaf said he would continue as first minister until his successor as SNP leader was chosen.
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. Once his resignation is accepted by the King, parliament has 28 days to nominate a replacement.
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 nomination process takes place in the Scottish Parliament.
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. The timing is decided by the parliamentary bureau, and could take place as early as Tuesday.
If there is more than one candidate, any one who secures more than half of all votes will win the nomination. Leaders of other political parties can also put themselves forward during this process, although they would not expect to win. Any MSP can nominate a candidate, although it must be seconded by another member.
If there is more than one candidate, any 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.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.
The SNP has 63 seats in the parliament, which means it does not have a majority.The SNP has 63 seats in the parliament, which means it does not have a majority.
However, the party's nominee would be expected to win the vote and become first minister.However, the party's nominee would be expected to win the vote and become first minister.
When could the new FM be in place?When could the new FM be in place?
If John Swinney becomes the new SNP leader on Monday, it is expected that Humza Yousaf would formally resign as first minister on Tuesday. It is expected that Mr Yousaf would formally resign as first minister on Tuesday.
There could then be a vote in the Scottish Parliament that afternoon to choose the new first minister.There could then be a vote in the Scottish Parliament that afternoon to choose the new first minister.
The parliament's presiding officer then recommends to the King that the winner be appointed as the new first minister. The parliament's presiding officer would then recommend to the King that the winner be appointed as the new first minister.
There would then be an official swearing-in ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. This is likely to happen on Wednesday.There would then be an official swearing-in ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh. This is likely to happen on Wednesday.
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.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.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
ScotlandScotland
Scottish ParliamentScottish Parliament
SNP (Scottish National Party)SNP (Scottish National Party)
Humza YousafHumza Yousaf