John Swinney is set to continue as Scotland's first minister after winning a parliamentary vote on Wednesday. The SNP leader secured the nomination in a multi-round ballot, marking a fifth consecutive term for the party in government.
Swinney, who first took office two years ago after succeeding Humza Yousaf, will be formally appointed by the King and will undergo a signing-in ceremony at the Court of Session. He is expected to name his new cabinet later Wednesday.
Addressing MSPs, Swinney pledged to provide "reliable, trusted leadership in turbulent times," focusing on easing the cost of living, improving the NHS, growing the economy, and protecting the environment. He noted the strong pro-independence majority in parliament and said the public had made clear its desire for independence, vowing to pursue practical steps toward that goal.
The election gave the SNP 57 seats—eight short of an outright majority—meaning Swinney will need support from other parties to pass legislation. Opposition leaders used the debate to call for action on living costs and the NHS, with warnings about public disillusionment with politics.
Reform UK's Malcolm Offord criticized the SNP's record, while Labour leader Anas Sarwar urged parliament to reject "politics of fear and blame." Green co-leader Gillian Mackay highlighted the pro-independence majority, and Conservative leader Russell Findlay warned against prioritizing constitutional issues over governance. Liberal Democrat Alex Cole-Hamilton suggested putting a second independence referendum "in the deep freezer."
Swinney's reappointment caps a political comeback: he stepped down from the frontbench in 2023 after Nicola Sturgeon's resignation but returned in April 2024 when Yousaf's premiership unraveled, citing a "profound sense of duty."