SNP Crisis: John Swinney Emerges as Favorite to Replace Humza Yousaf as First Minister
Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has resigned to allow for a new leader to bring stability to the Scottish National Party (SNP) amid a series of crises.
John Swinney, a veteran former leader and deputy to Nicola Sturgeon, is the favorite to succeed Yousaf as unity candidate, with senior SNP figures urging him to run.
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's deputy, John Swinney, has reportedly been considered as a potential replacement, but he has not taken any definitive steps towards the role.
Swinney has been inundated with requests to take over, but he is giving the matter "very active consideration." The current First Minister, Humza Yousaf, admitted that he caused a crisis by unilaterally scrapping a coalition deal with the Scottish Greens, leaving the SNP as a minority government.
The Greens demanded Yousaf's resignation, and opposition parties tabled no confidence motions, threatening to bring down the Scottish government.
The First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, announced her decision to step down from her role after reflecting on what is best for her party, the government, and the country.
She will remain in office until a successor is elected, and she declined to answer questions following her statement at Bute House, her official residence.