The 39-year-old Muslim Prime Minister of Scotland Hamza Yousaf decided to hand over the helm of the country considering it to be “the best solution for the government, the party and the country”. The announcement of his resignation First Minister of Scotland (First Minister) Hamza Yousaf lasted only 10 minutes. It was enough to explain the reasons he is leaving the position but also to show the intense emotional charge from his decision. In the first three minutes, he declared that the resignation was “the best for the government, the party and the country” while adding that “he is not willing to give up his principles just to stay in power.”

According to political analysts, it is an important moment for Scotland and for British politics in general. It should also be remembered that the Scottish National Party (SNP) has the third largest representation in the Westminster parliament while maintaining power in Scotland since 2007. The Scottish National Party is strongly in favor of the independence of Scotland from the rest of the United Kingdom and of course the opponents unrest within the party is likely to create a deeper crisis.

Who is Hamza Yousaf?

The statements of the now former First Minister were not limited to the explanation of the decision. He said “I can’t express what an enormous honor it was for me to be the First Minister of the country I love, the country I’m raising my family in and the only country I’ll be able to call home.”

In fact, clearly moved, towards the end of the press conference he declared “I am completely indebted to my wonderful wife, my beautiful children and my extended family who put up with me all these years”.

He himself is only 39 years old, originally from Pakistan, born and raised in Scotland. On March 29, 2023, following the resignation of his predecessor Nicola Sturgeon, he assumed the position of First Minister and became not only the youngest, but also the first Muslim to hold this office.

The background to the resignation

Throughout the weekend rumors of a resignation grew louder. But it only took three days to turn things upside down on the Scottish political scene. Last week, Hamza Youssaf decided to dissolve the coalition government with the Scottish Green Party following strong backlash mainly after abandoning the climate plan, which he had promised and put as a priority on their political agenda. Specifically, Energy Minister Mary Macallan had announced that “the reduction of carbon emissions by 75% by 2030, compared to 1990 levels, is impossible to achieve, so it is being abandoned.”

The Greens accused him of “selling out future generations”, while the two impeachment motions expected to be brought against him and the government hastened proceedings. At the same time, a second point between the two was the decision to stop prescribing hormones, also known as puberty blockers, to people under the age of 18.

The coalition government was set by the 2021 Scottish Parliament election, as the Scottish National Party (SNP) was unable to gain independence and formed a coalition government with the Green party. This agreement was described as “a joint program to build a greener, fairer and independent Scotland”.

The reactions and the next day

Characteristically, his political opponents made statements before the First Minister’s decision was sealed. The leader of the Scottish Conservative party, Douglas Ross, stated emphatically that “we kicked out Nicola Sturgeon and now Hamza Yousaf and we will work to kick out the whole rotten SNP government”.

However, the 129 members of the Scottish Parliament (Holyrood) will have 28 days to nominate the person who will take on this difficult position. Until the new leader is announced, Hamza Yousaf has made it clear that he will remain in it, while the first names of his replacement have already fallen on the table.