The pro-independence Scottish First Minister, Humza Yousafresigned this Monday from his position, threatened by a motion of censure a few days after ending the coalition government between his party, the SNPand the Green.
Overcome current political divisions “Only another person at the helm can do it”he declared at a press conference, adding that he would remain in office until his successor is named.
Yousaf39, was elected leader of the SNP, the Scottish National Partyin March 2023, after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon. In total he spent 13 months at the head of the regional government.
On Thursday he announced the end of the government coalition between his party and the environmentalistsa week after giving up a key climate commitment.
The SNP, the group with the largest number of deputies in Edinburgh’s local parliament, has governed since 2021 thanks to a coalition with the Greens.
The conservative and labor oppositions presented motions of censure against Yousaf, which will be put to a vote this week. The Greens announced that they will vote against the prime minister, forcing him to seek the support of the only legislator in Sunriseanother independence party.
However, according to the BBChe SNP ruled out an alliance with Sunrise.
Yousaf – the first Muslim leader of a major British political party – said in a statement that he believed winning the motion was “absolutely possible”.
But he added that he was “not willing to give up my values or principles or make deals with anyone simply to maintain power.”
He added: “I have come to the conclusion that repairing our relationships across the political divide can only be done with another person at the helm.”
Yousaf’s pro-independence SNP has 63 deputies in the 129-seat Parliament, two from the majority. The president has the casting vote.
After Yousaf’s resignation, Parliament will have 28 days to find a new prime minister.
Yousaf became leader of Scotland 13 months agobehind the surprise resignation in February 2023 of charismatic SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon.
Yousaf defeated Kate Forbes already Ash Regan, current leader of Sunrise, in a close contest that highlighted the divisions in the party between those on the left wing and others closer to the right.
His leadership was quickly plunged into confusion When Sturgeon was arrested with her husband, Peter Murrellfor alleged mismanagement of the SNP’s finances.
Murrell was charged earlier this month. Sturgeon has not been charged.
Sturgeon had been the most prominent figure in the Scottish independence movement. He oversaw a rise in support for the SNP, particularly following the Brexit -in which Scotland opposed leaving the European Union- and during the pandemic Covid.
But the SNP, which has led the Scottish government since 2007, has suffered a decline in popularity under Yousaf’s rule.
He also came under pressure from new and controversial laws that criminalized crime of inciting hatred against a series of groups, including transsexuals.
The law has been highly criticized, especially by the author of “Harry Potter,” JK Rowlingwho lives in Edinburgh.
Relations between the SNP and the Greens were also strained by the recent pause in prescribing puberty blockers in Scotland.
Some SNP members wanted Yousaf to end the coalition with the Greens because they felt the deal was taking the party too far to the left.
The fall of the SNP has also occurred in the context of the revival of the Labor Partywhich is emerging as the winner of the United Kingdom general elections scheduled for later this year.
Scotland voted against independence in a referendum held in 2014, in which 55% of voters opted for “No”.
The SNP has argued that the UK’s vote to leave the EU in 2016 had separatism put back on the tablebecause Scotland voted overwhelmingly to remain part of the bloc.
But the party, in power in Edinburgh for 17 years, has struggled to push through another vote, and the independence movement is arguably at its lowest point in recent times.
The Scottish Parliament, re-established in 1999, has limited policy-setting powers in areas such as healththe educationhe transport and the environment.
The UK government, based in London, retains powers over domestic issues such as defense and foreign policy.
(With information from EFE and AFP)
