Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland’s Prime Minister announces resignation

Scottish Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon surprisingly announced her resignation. “I announce my intention to step down as Prime Minister and leader of my party,” the 52-year-old said in Edinburgh on Wednesday. Even if this decision comes as a surprise to many and too early for some, she knows “with my heart and mind that this is the right time”. She wants to remain in office as “First Minister” and head of the Scottish National Party (SNP) until a successor is found. The leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) has led government in Edinburgh for more than eight years and has always campaigned vehemently for Scottish independence from the UK.

In the struggle for Scotland’s independence from the United Kingdom, Sturgeon has recently had to put up with several setbacks: London is blocking a renewed vote she is seeking on the question of whether Scotland should remain part of the United Kingdom or not. In addition, the supporters of independence lost in the highest British court. The Supreme Court has ruled that Scotland’s regional parliament has no right to call a referendum without the consent of the UK government. Sturgeon said she was disappointed with the decision but accepted it. Independence must be achieved through legal and democratic means.

Gender debate weighs on Scottish government

In addition, the dispute over a controversial gender law has recently weighed on the Scottish government. Among other things, the law, which the Scottish Parliament voted for last year, is intended to eliminate the requirement for a medical report as a prerequisite for changing the gender entry. The minimum age for an application should be lowered from 18 to 16 years. Trans people are people who do not identify with the gender they were assigned at birth.

There was a lot of criticism, with the Harry Potter author Joanne K. Rowling being one of the most prominent critics. She and her fellow campaigners fear that men could take advantage of the simplified regulations to invade areas reserved for women, such as women’s changing rooms or toilets, for sexual motives. Supporters, on the other hand, see the law as a long-overdue reform that could make life easier for trans people and enable them to live self-determined lives.

Sturgeon comments on controversial law

Regarding the controversy surrounding the controversial law, Sturgeon said her decision was not a reaction to pressure and difficult situations in the past. Instead, she is now noticing the physical and psychological impact the major stresses of the corona pandemic have had on her as head of government. The questions as to whether the job was right for her and whether she was the right person for her party, her country and the fight for Scottish independence had become increasingly difficult to answer with “yes”. “I’ve come to the difficult decision that it’s not like that anymore,” Sturgeon said. She therefore wants to give her party the freedom to choose a new leadership.

Sturgeon has been in office since 2014. She is the longest serving Scottish head of government. She succeeded her party colleague at the time, Alex Salmond, who has since founded a new party.