Foreign News
Scotland’s ruling SNP picks Humza Yousaf to succeed Sturgeon
Aljazeera reported that Scotland’s governing party has elected Humza Yousaf as its new leader after a bruising five-week contest that exposed deep fractures within the pro-independence movement.
Yousaf will lead the Scottish National Party as a successor to First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who unexpectedly stepped down last month after eight years as leader of the party and of Scotland’s semi-autonomous government.
The 37-year-old Scot of Pakistani heritage was the favourite to win the leadership race.
He was recently the health secretary in charge of the crisis-hit National Health Service (NHS) during the coronavirus pandemic.
“From the Punjab to our parliament, this is a journey for our generations,” he said in an impassioned victory speech in Edinburgh, referencing his South Asian origins.
Yousaf also said he has a “passion” for Scottish independence.