Scottish Health Secretary Hamza Yousaf has announced his candidacy to succeed Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon as the leader of the SNP (Scottish National Party) and regional government.

Youssef became the first to publicly announce his intention to join the race to succeed Sturgeon after her surprise resignation a few days ago, citing personal reasons.

“I have decided to come forward as a candidate to become the next First Minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP,” Yousaf, 37, an MP since 2011 with regional cabinet experience, said on Twitter.

Sturgeon’s deputy prime minister, John Sweeney, 58, has ruled himself out of the succession race, justifying his decision by saying he wants to make room for a “fresh perspective” on the SNP’s aims, including a bid for independence of Scotland.

The Scottish National Party has announced that it will choose its new leader within six weeks through a vote of its members, which will conclude on March 27. Sturgeon, 52, has announced that she will remain at the helm of the Scottish government until her successor is chosen.

Her surprise resignation has raised questions about the SNP’s fight for Scottish independence in the wake of Britain’s High Court ruling not to allow a new referendum on the issue. In the 2014 referendum, 55% of Scots were in favor of Scotland remaining in the United Kingdom.