What's happened
Scotland's First Minister, Humza Yousaf, faces a no-confidence vote after ending the SNP's power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens. Alex Salmond's Alba Party will only support Yousaf if the SNP is open to renewed efforts for Scottish independence. Yousaf is working to secure his position by inviting rival parties for discussions at his official residence.
Why it matters
The outcome of the confidence vote for Humza Yousaf will have significant implications for the political landscape in Scotland. If he loses, MSPs will have 28 days to agree on a new First Minister or trigger a Scottish parliamentary election. The potential shift in power and the stance on Scottish independence make this a crucial moment for Scottish politics.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Alex Salmond's Alba Party will only back Yousaf in the confidence vote if the SNP supports a renewed push for Scottish independence. In contrast, BBC News states that Yousaf is ruling out an electoral pact with Alba, despite Salmond's suggestion. The Independent also highlights Yousaf's efforts to secure support from rival parties amidst the looming confidence vote.
How we got here
Humza Yousaf became Scotland's First Minister after Nicola Sturgeon, leading the SNP in a minority government. The collapse of the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens led to a no-confidence motion against Yousaf. The SNP's 63 MSPs face opposition from other parties, including Alba's Ash Regan, in the upcoming vote.
Common question
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The Scottish National Party is a Scottish nationalist and social-democratic political party in Scotland. The SNP supports and campaigns for Scottish independence within the European Union, with a platform based on civic nationalism.
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Humza Haroon Yousaf MSP is a Scottish National Party politician who has been Cabinet Secretary for Justice since 26 June 2018 and the Member of the Scottish Parliament for Glasgow Pollok since 2016.
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Alexander Elliot Anderson Salmond is a Scottish politician who served as the First Minister of Scotland from 2007 to 2014. He was the leader of the Scottish National Party for over 20 years, serving two terms, from 1990 to 2000 and from 2004 to 2014.