MSPs are set to vote for Scotland's new first minister following the Holyrood elections, with incumbent John Swinney expressing confidence he will secure the position. However, all five other parties represented in the Scottish Parliament have announced they will put forward their own leaders for the top job.
SNP Short of Majority
The Scottish National Party won 58 seats in the recent elections, making it the largest party by a significant margin but falling short of the 65 seats required for an outright majority. This means Mr. Swinney will need the support of at least one other party to form a government, a role previously filled by the Scottish Greens.
Greens Demand Referendum Pledge
Ahead of Tuesday's vote, the Greens have called on Mr. Swinney to honour his campaign promise to introduce a vote on a second independence referendum during the first sitting of his new government. Mr. Swinney had pledged that a new SNP administration would bring forward a motion to approve a Section 30 order, which would transfer powers from Westminster to Holyrood to hold a referendum. Since these powers are reserved, the vote would serve as a symbolic expression of the Scottish Parliament's will and pressure the UK government to approve another vote on the union.
Gillian Mackay, co-leader of the Scottish Greens and a candidate for first minister, stated that Scotland had voted for a pro-independence majority parliament, "and that must be respected." She added: "If John Swinney is elected first minister on Tuesday, then his new government must bring forward the promised parliamentary debate and vote on Scotland's right to choose at the first available opportunity."
During the campaign, Mr. Swinney told voters that a pro-independence majority of SNP MSPs would constitute a mandate. Having failed to achieve that, he has insisted that the combined pro-independence majority of the SNP and Greens still counts as a mandate. Ms. Mackay responded: "It is welcome that, now the election is over, the SNP appears to recognise that Green votes are also independence votes. But recognition is not enough. The First Minister must follow through on his promise and offer the clear roadmap to independence that Scotland deserves and voted for."
Conservatives Warn Against Green Pact
The Scottish Conservatives have urged Mr. Swinney to show "common sense" and rule out another coalition with the "anti-oil and gas" Greens. Russell Findlay, the Conservative leader, claimed that the SNP's "anti-oil and gas agenda" would harden if he "ends up at the mercy of the Greens." Speaking ahead of the Aberdeen South by-election, Mr. Findlay said that while the SNP leader "likes to pretend" he supports Scotland's oil and gas sector, his party maintains a presumption against new drilling in the North Sea. He warned: "There are significant concerns that the SNP's anti-oil-and-gas agenda will harden if Swinney ends up at the mercy of the Greens, who he previously brought into government and who would turn off the taps overnight. It would be basic common sense for [Mr.] Swinney to explicitly rule out any form of new coalition or pact between the SNP and Greens ahead of parliament voting to confirm who becomes first minister."
Swinney Confident of Victory
Speaking to the Press Association on Tuesday, the First Minister expressed confidence in leading the SNP into a fifth consecutive term in government. He said: "The people of Scotland were crystal clear in the election – they want the SNP to lead the Government. We were elected with 58 members of the Scottish Parliament, we've got a commanding lead over the other parties, and I look forward to putting forward my candidacy to be first minister tomorrow and to take forward a government that will serve the people of Scotland." He added: "I'm confident that I can win the vote tomorrow and to make sure that I continue to lead a government that will deliver for the people of Scotland."
Timeline
The election of the first minister will take place on Tuesday afternoon. The winning candidate is likely to be sworn in at the Court of Session on Wednesday and will appoint a cabinet that afternoon. Thursday will be dedicated to the vote confirming the appointment of ministers, with the inaugural First Minister's Questions of the parliamentary term expected to take place next week.
