John Swinney will become Scotland’s new first minister after being backed by a majority of MSPs.
Following his victory in the SNP leadership race on Monday, the 60-year-old faced a vote at Holyrood to confirm him as Humza Yousaf’s successor.
The Scottish Greens abstained from the vote, with Mr Swinney able to fend off challenges from Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, and Scottish Liberal Democrats leader Alex Cole-Hamilton.
His name will now be submitted to the King, with an official swearing-in ceremony expected to take place at the Court of Session in Edinburgh as early as Wednesday.
Mr Swinney will then be able to appoint his cabinet.
New first minister John Swinney with former first ministers Humza Yousaf and Nicola Sturgeon. Pic: PA
Mr Yousaf was forced to step down last week in the face of two votes of no confidence after terminating the power-sharing Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.
During his final speech as first minister, Mr Yousaf said his heart would “forever belong to Scotland” as he told how leading his country had given him the opportunity to defy “racist bigots”.
Mr Yousaf delivering his final speech as first minister. Pic: PA
He said: “Young Humza Yousaf could never have imagined he would be able to lead this country.
“I was six-years-old when I was first told to go home, and I am afraid since then it has been a regular occurrence – in fact, almost daily if you look at my social media feeds.”
He said that “racial slur” had hurt him most “simply because I have no other home than this one, I never will, I never have”.
MSPs clapping at the end of Mr Yousaf’s speech. Pic: PA
Ms Sturgeon hugging Mr Yousaf at the end of his speech. Pic: PA
Mr Yousaf continued: “My heart will forever belong to Scotland.
“So, to have the opportunity to defy the far-right, to defy the racist bigots who told me to go home, to be in a position to serve my home, to contribute to public life in my home, and to have the opportunity to lead my home – that has been the most tremendous honour that I didn’t think was reserved for people who looked like me.”
Mr Swinney with party supporters and fellow MSPs. Pic: PA
Mr Swinney was unopposed in the SNP leadership contest and promised a “new chapter” for the party as he pledged to use “respect and courtesy” to make the case for Scottish independence.
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Former finance secretary Kate Forbes had been tipped to join the race, but instead threw her support behind him.
Mr Swinney previously said he would want Ms Forbes to “play a significant part” in his government if elected.
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Responding to questions after his post-win speech on Monday, Mr Swinney confirmed he will not be reinstating the Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens, preferring to take issues on a case-by-case basis.
Before the vote took place for a new first minister, the Scottish Greens announced its MSPs would be abstaining.
Party co-leader Lorna Slater stated although the SNP is the largest party at Holyrood and has the right to form a government, “it does not have an automatic right to our votes”.
She added: “We need to see what vision the first minister has for Scotland and what direction he wants to take.”
Ms Slater said her party would work “positively and constructively” and would “not indulge in opposition for its own sake or political gameplaying”.
She added: “We will aim to work with and support the Scottish government on an issue-by-issue basis.
“We will back them when they are delivering progressive policies that protect our environment and help to tackle child poverty, and we will oppose them or push them to go further and raise their ambitions when we think they need it.”