Humza Yousaf announced, this Monday, that he will step down as prime minister and leader of the SNP (Scottish National Party), just over a year after his election. At a press conference at Bute House, the official residence, he said he would remain in the role until his successor was elected, to ensure a “smooth and orderly transition”.
In the coming days, Yousaf will face two votes of confidence in the Holyrood Parliament, after having provoked a political crisis by breaking with the government coalition supported by the Scottish Greens on Thursday. The party announced that it would support a motion to reject Yousaf’s leadership tabled by the Scottish Conservatives.
“After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, the government and the country I lead, I have concluded that repairing our relationship across political divides can only be done with another person at the helm. I have therefore informed the SNP national secretary of my intention to resign as party leader,” he said during the press conference.
