Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yusuf speaks to the media during a visit to a housing development in Dundee, Scotland, April 26, 2024.
Jeff J. Mitchell | Jeff J. MitchellGetty Images
Scotland’s First Minister Humza Youssef resigned on Monday over the collapse of a power-sharing deal with the country’s Greens.
Scottish National Party (SNP) leader Youssef is expected to survive a vote of no confidence after terminating his deal with the Greens last week.
“In ending the BitHouse deal in the way I did, I clearly underestimated the extent of the hurt and upset I had caused my Green Party colleagues. For a minority government to be able to govern effectively and efficiently, there is a lot of trust in working with the opposition Obviously crucial,” he told a news conference on Monday.
He said he “has come to the conclusion that relationships across political divides can only be repaired if others are at the helm.”
Yusuf said he had asked the SNP to hold a leadership contest as soon as possible and would remain in office until a new leader was appointed.
His decision to end the SNP’s formal partnership with the Greens, in the hope that the SNP would gain their support on certain issues and govern as a minority government, was strongly criticized by Green party members.
The SNP failed to win a majority at the 2021 Holyrood elections and faces an electoral threat from Labor in the UK national election due to take place sometime this year.
Youssef has been Scotland’s first minister for just over a year, replacing long-time leader Nicola Sturgeon, who unexpectedly announced her resignation in February 2023.
Sturgeon has been investigated by police as part of an investigation into the party’s finances.Her husband Peter Murrell is Charged with corruption earlier this month.
This is a breaking news story, please check back soon for more information.
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