Humza Yousaf Rejects Electoral Pact with Alba Party and Alex Salmond: No Cooperation Amid Political Crisis

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has rejected the idea of an electoral pact with Alex Salmond's Alba party.

Salmond suggested Alba could support Yousaf in a confidence vote if the SNP cooperated, but a source close to Yousaf ruled out such a deal at both Westminster and Holyrood, calling it a "fantasy." An Alba party source later suggested a pact was just one of several options.

SNP MP Stewart McDonald warned against a deal with Salmond due to his past association with a TV channel funded by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Scottish first minister, Nicola Sturgeon's successor, Humza Yousaf, is under threat after expelling the Scottish Greens from his coalition government.

He may face confidence votes in both his government and leadership as early as Wednesday.

With 65 seats against the SNP's 63, a vote against from all opposition parties and Alba MSP, Ash Regan, would result in Yousaf's defeat.

Although there's no constitutional obligation for him to resign following a personal confidence vote loss, the political pressure to do so would be significant.

If the government falls, MSPs would have 28 days to elect a new first minister or automatically trigger a Scottish parliamentary election.

The Scottish Green Party has expressed no confidence in Transport Minister, Mr Yousaf, and plans to vote against him in the upcoming Holyrood election in 2026.

This decision comes after the dismissal of co-leaders Lorna Slater and Patrick Harvie as ministers in the SNP-led government.

A Westminster general election is expected this year, but the focus is currently on the Scottish political landscape and the Green Party's stance against Mr Yousaf.