Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf is facing intense pressure to step down as he braces for two no-confidence votes, a move that seems increasingly likely to oust him from office.
The 39-year-old leader of the Scottish National Party is expected to announce his resignation shortly, following the collapse of his coalition with the Scottish Greens over disagreements on carbon emissions targets.
Yousaf, who has adamantly refused to govern without a majority, has so far failed to secure the support of other parties, including the Greens and the Alba Party led by former First Minister Alex Salmond.
With no coalition in sight, Yousaf lacks the votes to survive the upcoming no-confidence motions—one against him personally and another against his government.
There is a growing expectation among senior SNP officials that Yousaf will step down, with former deputy first minister John Swinney hinting at an imminent announcement.
While the Greens have suggested they could support an SNP minority government, they have made it clear that Yousaf must resign to rebuild trust and avoid further crisis.
Yousaf's resignation, if confirmed, will trigger a leadership contest within the Scottish Parliament, giving lawmakers 28 days to select a new first minister. Failure to do so would lead to the dissolution of parliament and a general election.
The unfolding drama marks a significant turn of events for Yousaf, who assumed office just over a year ago following Nicola Sturgeon's unexpected resignation in February 2023.
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