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Salmond elected as first minister Salmond elected as first minister
(about 1 hour later)
Alex Salmond has made political history after becoming the first Nationalist to be elected first minister of Scotland.Alex Salmond has made political history after becoming the first Nationalist to be elected first minister of Scotland.
The SNP leader, whose party became the biggest following the election, will also head the first minority government in Scotland since devolution. The SNP leader was voted into office in parliament by 49 votes to 46, after he was supported by the Greens. The Lib Dems and the Conservatives abstained.
Mr Salmond was voted in by MSPs, seeing off a final challenge from Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell. He will head the first minority administration since devolution.
Without an overall majority in parliament, the new first minister will now need to strive for consensus. Mr Salmond promised to govern in the interests of all the people of Scotland and said he would seek parliament's approval "policy by policy".
Mr Salmond became the first Nationalist to win power in the party's 73-year history.
We're a small nation but we've got a big future Alex Salmond Send us your viewsWe're a small nation but we've got a big future Alex Salmond Send us your views
His election, which was supported by the two Scottish Green MSPs, was greeted with applause and cheering in the Scottish Parliament chamber. The Scottish Parliament election almost two weeks ago saw the SNP win 47 seats, just one ahead of Scottish Labour, while the Scots Liberal Democrats were left with 16.
Describing Holyrood as a "parliament of minorities", he told MSPs: "I believe Scotland is ready for change, ready for reform. The Scottish Conservatives have 17 MSPs, although one of their number, Alex Fergusson, has taken up the politically neutral job of presiding officer.
The Scottish Greens have two MSPs and the colourful Independent Margo MacDonald, who abstained from the first minister vote altogether, was also re-elected.
Mr Salmond was voted first minister after seeing off a final challenge from Scottish Labour leader Jack McConnell.
He became the first Nationalist to win power in the party's 73-year history.
His election was greeted with applause and cheering in the Scottish Parliament chamber.
Shake-up
Mr Salmond described Holyrood as a "parliament of minorities", but denied claims that Scotland had become a divided nation.
"I believe Scotland is ready for change, ready for reform," he told MSPs
"We're a small nation but we've got a big future.""We're a small nation but we've got a big future."
Mr McConnell, the former first minister, congratulated Mr Salmond on his victory and said he would be proud to lead the largest opposition party the Scottish Parliament has ever had.Mr McConnell, the former first minister, congratulated Mr Salmond on his victory and said he would be proud to lead the largest opposition party the Scottish Parliament has ever had.
But he promised that Labour would not oppose for its own sake. He promised that Labour would not oppose for its own sake, but he also delivered a warning to his successor.
"Voltaire once said that governments need both shepherds and butchers and I think Alex may need to be more of a shepherd than a butcher in his new role, looking around this flock here and trying to secure majorities for his policies," said Mr McConnell.
Mr Salmond said he would now go forward in a minority administration by appealing for support "policy by policy" across the chamber.
He added: "In this century there are limits to what governments can achieve. But one thing any government I lead will never lack is ambition for Scotland."
Mr Salmond is also expected to confirm a shake-up, cutting the number of departments from nine to six and obliging ministers and civil servants to work towards several key aims, including making Scotland healthier, wealthier and safer.