Senior and junior MSPs may be in leadership race
So, who’s next? Here are some of the other likely candidates in the SNP leadership race:
Kate Forbes, 32, MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch since 2016
The Finance Secretary worked for Barclays bank before going into politics and took the economy brief after the resignation of Derek Mackay in 2020.
On maternity leave and didn’t take part in the gender reform vote but was one of 15 SNP MSPs to call for the plans to be delayed in 2019.
Angus Robertson, 53, MSP for Edinburgh Central since 2021
Served as deputy leader, led the party at Westminster and is the current cabinet secretary for the constitution, external affairs and culture.
He backed the gender reform Bill, saying it was “a source of considerable regret the issue has become so polarised and plagued with misinformation”.
On the timeframe for IndyRef2, he previously said it would “come at some stage”, rather than backing Sturgeon’s 2023 aims.
Màiri McAllan, 30, MSP for Clydesdale since 2021 A former lawyer, the environment minister is Sturgeon’s special adviser on the environment, biodiversity and land reform.
The youngest ministerial office holder in Holyrood and voted with the government on gender reform. Her views on other key policies are not widely known.
Keith Brown, 61, MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane since 2011 Current deputy leader of the SNP.
Served with the Royal Marines before going into local government in 1996.
On gender reforms, Brown voted with the Scottish Government and was a key player in Sturgeon’s plan to hold a de facto referendum at the next election.