Alison Johnstone, a Scottish Greens MSP for Lothians, has been elected as the new presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament. She was the sole candidate for the role, receiving 97 votes in favour, 28 against, with two abstentions and one spoiled ballot.
Ms Johnstone has been an MSP since 2011 and previously served as a councillor in Edinburgh. She will give up her party affiliation to become the parliament's impartial referee, a role similar to the Speaker in the House of Commons. She described the position as a "great opportunity and an incredible privilege".
Her appointment marks the first time a Green MSP has held the most prestigious job in Scottish politics outside government. With Ms Johnstone stepping down as a party member, Holyrood is now tied 64 votes to 64 between the SNP and opposition parties, though the pro-independence bloc still holds a majority.
The new parliament includes 43 new MSPs, a record number of women, including the first two women of colour, and Labour's Pam Duncan-Glancy as the first permanent wheelchair user elected. Nicola Sturgeon is expected to be formally elected as first minister next Tuesday.
During the swearing-in ceremony, MSPs pledged allegiance to the Queen, with some using languages such as Gaelic, Urdu, German, and sign language.
