Another Scottish independence referendum is the “will of the country”, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said in a victory speech.
The SNP and Scottish Greens have won a total of 68 seats in Holyrood, with more gains expected as further regional list results are announced.
Speaking on Saturday, the First Minister said her first focus would be on the coronavirus pandemic, but that the people of Scotland should be able to decide on the constitutional question “when the time is right”.
An independence referendum was pledged in the manifesto of both the SNP and the Scottish Greens, who have already picked up an extra seat on the Central Scotland list.
Nicola Sturgeon’s chances of winning an overall majority at Holyrood have declined, after her SNP failed to win key seats.
With counting continuing in the Scottish Parliament election, the Tories managed to see off the challenge from the SNP in the key of Aberdeenshire West.
The failure to win there makes it harder for Ms Sturgeon to win an overall majority in the 129-seat Parliament – something the SNP had wanted to strengthen their case for a second independence referendum.
West Aberdeenshire. I ve always said this is a beautiful part of the world.
Incredible result by @AJABurnett. A @ScotTories increase of 9%. Majority up from 900 to over 3000.
Alba party leader Alex Salmond in Ellon as votes continue to be counted for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections at the P&J Live/TECA, Aberdeen. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Alba only fielded candidates on Scotland’s eight regional lists, calling for SNP voters to back it with their second ballots in an effort to “max the Yes”.
But Mr Salmond and Kenny MacAskill, who defected from the SNP to join Alba, said initial results suggested it would not return any MSPs.
Speaking on the Through a Scottish Prism podcast on Saturday, Mr Salmond said he would now focus on growing the party into an electoral force.