LONDON (AP) — Scotland’s former deputy first minister, John Swinney, was confirmed Monday as head of the Scottish National Party and is expected to become the country’s next leader, its third in just over a year.
Swinney, who led the SNP two decades ago, was the only candidate to replace First Minister Humza Yousaf as the leader of the party that has been in turmoil since long-serving First Minister Nicola Sturgeon abruptly stepped down last year during a campaign finance investigation that eventually led to criminal charges against her husband.
“I am deeply honored to have been elected as leader of @theSNP,” Swinney said on social media platform X. “I will give all that I have to serve my party and my country.”
Yousaf announced his resignation last week after a political miscalculation in which he booted the Green Party from his coalition government. The SNP is one seat short of a majority in the local parliament with 63 of the 128 voting seats, so it needs to partner with at least one opposition party.
EU changes pace on migration and asylum policy
Xi Presents Certificate of Order to Promote Military Officer to Rank of General
Xi Focus: Xi Stresses Building up China's Strength in Agriculture at Key Rural Work Conference
Xi Returns to China After China
Heartbreak as Tyson Fury is defeated by Oleksandr Usyk in the fight of the century
Xi Says China Ready to Advance Relations with Australia Based on Mutual Respect, Win
Chinese Vice Premier Stresses Need to Ensure Smooth Transition of COVID
Xi Meets Chairman of Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen
Soulful singer Michael McDonald looks back in his new memoir, 'What a Fool Believes'
Book on Xi's Visits to People's Homes Published
Brits face summer holiday chaos as Majorcans crank up their anti
Xi Signs Order to Promulgate Regulations on Honors for Servicemen