Humza Yousaf, at the age of 37, has been confirmed as the new First Minister of Scotland, succeeding Nicola Sturgeon. This makes him the first Muslim leader of a government in western Europe. On Monday, he narrowly won the Scottish National Party (SNP) leadership battle and secured nominations from a majority of lawmakers on Tuesday to become the new First Minister, with his swearing-in scheduled for Wednesday.
Yousaf pledged to rejuvenate the stalled pursuit of independence for Scotland and promised to be “the generation that delivers independence for Scotland,” requesting London to promptly allow another vote. However, the UK government’s Scottish Secretary Alister Jack hoped the new SNP leader would “put his obsession with independence aside.”
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak congratulated Yousaf and expressed his desire to work with him to deliver on the priorities that matter most to people across Scotland. Yousaf called the discussion “constructive” but made clear that he expects the democratic wishes of Scotland’s people and Parliament to be respected.
Sturgeon sent her formal letter of resignation to King Charles III and left the First Minister’s official residence in Edinburgh for the last time. She tweeted that she wishes Yousaf every success and will be willing him on every step of the way.
Yousaf was health minister in Sturgeon’s last cabinet and narrowly topped the SNP contest with 52 percent of members’ preferentially ranked votes. Despite winning a succession of elections under Sturgeon, the SNP also faces bitter divisions following the three-way leadership battle.
Recent surveys show around 45 percent of Scots back Scotland leaving the United Kingdom, with a UK general election expected within the next 18 months. An Ipsos poll conducted shortly before Yousaf was announced as SNP leader showed that half of Scots feel that the country is heading in the wrong direction, while just a quarter feel it is heading in the right direction.
Yousaf will be sworn in as Scotland’s new First Minister on Wednesday following formal approval from the King. SNP leaders have taken pride in Scotland becoming the first democracy in western Europe to appoint a Muslim as leader
