The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP), John Swinneyrenewed this Monday his mandate as chief minister at the investiture session held in Parliament at Holyrood following the elections at the beginning of May. Swinney has reached the necessary majority after two failed votes and has been invested only with the support of the deputies of his bench. Everything indicates that the SNP will command a minority Government, although it will foreseeably have the parliamentary support of the Scottish greenswhose votes will be fundamental to achieve the necessary majority in Parliament.
“I will strive to be a senior minister for all of Scotland, who work to bring people together. I promise to work every day to live up to the trust that the people of Scotland have placed in me,” said the nationalist leader after confirming his election. The leaders of the main opposition parties They have congratulated him and have extended their hand to collaborate on matters of shared interest, but they have warned that they will continue to supervise his work at the head of the Executive. “The real test begins now”said the leader of the Scottish Labor Party, Anas Sarwar.
Independence referendum
One of the main Government priorities In this legislature it will be to promote a new independence referendum, as Swinney promised during the campaign. Despite the differences of opinion expressed at the polls, the nationalist leader has assured that voters “have chosen the greatest pro-independence majority of the history of decentralization.” The sum of the 58 SNP MPs and of the 15 obtained by the Greens It has given a comfortable majority in favor of independence and has given impetus, according to the nationalists, to a new consultation.
Beyond independence, Swinney has promised to implement new measures to reduce the cost of livingimprove public services and boost economic growth. Something that he has assured that he will carry out with a “solid leadership” and offering confidence “in turbulent times”.
Swinney’s election as chief minister has confirmed his successful return to the political front line. The current Scottish leader had held positions of responsibility in Alex Salmond’s Government and served as deputy first minister between 2014 and 2023, a position he left after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon as chief minister. During the stage of Humza Yousaf He remained in a discreet background, but his resignation in 2024 once again opened the doors to the leadership of the formation and the regional government. This Tuesday’s appointment has confirmed the voters’ commitment to his figure and to a party that has governed without interruption in Scotland since 2007.
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