Alex Salmond is expected to be voted in as first minister of Scotland by MSPs SNP leader Alex Salmond is to be re-elected unopposed as first minister of Scotland, heading Scotland’s first majority government.
The move comes in the wake of the party’s stunning election win on 5 May, in which the SNP won 69 of the 129 Scottish Parliament seats.
MSPs are expected to vote in Mr Salmond as first minister at Holyrood.
He will begin setting out his plans, which include an independence referendum, later this week.
It was thought Green MSP Patrick Harvie may also stand for first minister to force a contest and debate, but decided against the move.
None of the other opposition parties will put forward candidates – as has been the case previously – in the light of the SNP’s clear election victory.
The Scottish election saw Labour emerge with 37 seats, the Conservatives won 15, the Liberal Democrats have five seats and the Greens have two MSPs.
Independent MSP Margo Macdonald was also returned to parliament.
First ministers are voted in by MSPs in an election held in the Scottish Parliament main chamber.
MSPs make nominations, which must be seconded, with each candidate allowed to make a speech, ahead of voting.
Where there is only one candidate – as is the case this time round – MSPs are asked to vote or abstain, and the contender must win a simple majority to be successful.
The first ministerial process at Holyrood is a recommendation to the Queen for final approval.
If a first minister is not elected within 28 days of the election (1 June), a fresh election must be held.
The SNP will return to government for the next, five-year parliamentary term after forming a minority administration in the wake of its 2007 election win.
The first two parliamentary terms saw the election of a Labour/Liberal Democrat coalition.
On Thursday, Mr Salmond will use a Holyrood debate to explain his vision for government and is due to announce his ministerial team, which also needs parliamentary approval.
Last week, MSPs elected SNP backbencher Tricia Marwick as the new presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament.
You can watch the first minister election as it happens on the BBC’s Democracy Live service.
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