Scotland parliament approves SNP’s John Swinney as new First Minister

Scotland got its second leader in as many years on Tuesday, as parliament approved political veteran John Swinney to lead the country as First Minister.

Mr. Swinney, 60, succeeds Humza Yousaf, who formally resigned from the role earlier in the day, following his announcement last week that he would step down after just over a year in charge.

Mr. Yousaf, 39, announced his resignation last Monday before a condence vote in the Scottish parliament that he was set to lose, having ditched his junior coalition partners, the Scottish Green Party, in a row over climate policy.

Mr. Swinney won the backing of 64 members of the Scottish parliament (MSPs) in the vote that was all but a foregone conclusion, with nearest rival Scottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross picking up 31.

The Scottish political veteran, said it was “something of a surprise” to nd himself taking the top job at his stage of his career, but added it was “an extraordinary privilege”.

Mr. Swinney, an old party hand who led the ruling pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) from 2000 to 2004 when the nationalists were in opposition, was elected unopposed as leader of the SNP on Monday.

He is seen as an experienced operator able to reach across the political divide, which is key to the SNP being able to rule as a minority government.

Mr. Swinney must also unite his divided party, split between those on the left supportive of trans rights and urgent climate action and members on the right wanting to focus on issues such as health and the economy. He has said that alongside advancing the case for Scottish independence, he wants to eradicate child poverty.

AP Fresh start: John Swinney speaks to the media after being voted in as First Minister at the Scottish parliament in Edinburgh.