The Scottish Greens Party Council has unanimously voted to support the election of Humza Yousaf as the next First Minister and to continue the Bute House Agreement.
Party co-leader Lorna Slater said the decision of members would “steer” how the group of Green MSPs will vote in Holyrood on Tuesday.
It comes after the party warned the coalition between the SNP and the Scottish Greens “would come to an end” with any veto of the parties’ historic Bute House agreement.
The SNP contest had triggered speculation around the future of the co-operation deal with the Greens.
Gender reforms were a key red line in the Bute House Agreement and Scottish Green sources claimed they could pull out if Nicola Sturgeon’s successor was someone who doesn’t agree with the legislation.
Following Yousaf’s election as SNP leader, Scottish Green Co-leader Patrick Harvie MSP said: “We congratulate Humza Yousaf on his election and look forward to building on the successes of the last 18 months.
“Our Council and MSPs met this afternoon and they voted unanimously to continue with the Bute House Agreement and to support his nomination as First Minister when a vote takes place tomorrow.
“This overwhelming endorsement of our arrangement will allow us to continue with the progressive, collaborative politics we know can help deliver a fairer, greener and more equal Scotland for all.”
Co-leader Lorna Slater said: “The scale of support in our party is a tribute to the success of the positive and progressive agenda in the Bute House Agreement which has been supported by Humza Yousaf in his successful campaign.
“Climate justice and equality are at the heart of our shared vision, and we are delighted to be working with Humza Yousaf on delivering on our shared co-operation agreement.”
READ MORE: Humza Yousaf pledges to reunite SNP as 'one team'
Yousaf had insisted he was the only candidate who could ensure the agreement continues and said losing the support of the Scottish Greens would result in “significant challenges” for the SNP in getting its legislation through Holyrood.
Forbes said she was committed to the agreement amid suggestions the Greens could pull out of the deal if she became first minister.
“You look at the coalition agreement and you see there were areas where there was agreement and areas which were excluded. I think it’s possible to continue that discussion and that relationship,” she said.
Meanwhile Regan had said the SNP were being "held hostage" by their coalition partners the Greens, indicating she would be relaxed about the prospect of running a minority government.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel