Scotland: Health Minister Yousaf becomes new Prime Minister

In Scotland, Health Minister Humza Yousaf will be the new head of government and thus succeed Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish National Party (SNP) announced on Monday. As the strongest force in the regional parliament, the Scottish National Party (SNP) is entitled to the post of “prime minister”.

Members of the SNP could choose between Health Minister Humza Yousaf (37), Finance Minister Kate Forbes (32) and former minister Ash Regan (49) until 12:00 Scottish time (13:00 CEST) on Monday.

All three want to further the stated goal of the SNP, Bring Scotland out of the UK and back into the European Union as an independent state. The 37-year-old is considered a close confidante of Sturgeon and is likely to continue on her course.

The path Yousaf wants to take to independence is unclear. A new referendum is only possible with the consent of the central government in London, according to a ruling by the British Supreme Court. But she strongly rejects such a move. In polls, approval for independence also fell after Sturgeon’s retirement.

Another stumbling block for Yousaf could be a liberal gender bill that Sturgeon pushed through in his own ranks against resistance. The intention is that, among other things, the obligation of a medical report as a condition for a change in the gender entry will no longer apply. The minimum age for an application has been lowered from 18 to 16 years. The British government blocked the project. Yousaf has promised to take legal action against London’s veto power.

With Yousaf, for the first time, a Muslim has taken charge of the northernmost part of Britain with a population of about 5.5 million. Although relatively young, the political scientist has already gained a lot of government experience. After having been State Secretary for many years, he became Minister of Justice in 2018. In 2021, Yousaf transferred to the Ministry of Health. Critics blame him for the ailing state of the health service.

After his election, he said: “I feel like the happiest man in the world.” Being able to rule your country as “prime minister” will be the greatest honor of your life. He wants to be head of government for all Scots.

In mid-February, Sturgeon surprisingly announced her resignation as ‘prime minister’ and party leader of the SNP. The 52-year-old was the first woman to hold the highest government position in the most northerly part of Britain and is regarded as a driving force behind the United Kingdom’s independence.

(sda/dpa)