The question of who will replace Nicola Sturgeon as the SNP leader has been floating around for a little while now since the First Minister announced her resignation in February.
Today Sturgeon was given a standing ovation as she made her last speech at Holyrood as First Minister.
In a statement made at the end of First Minister’s Questions, she thanked Scots for “placing your trust in me”.
She added: "I have made my fair share of mistakes in the last eight years. And, of course, there are things I wish I had done better or differently.
Today at 12 noon, I will do my 286th - and final - session of First Minister’s Questions. Immediately afterwards I will make my last speech in @ScotParl chamber as First Minister. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way ❤️🏴
— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) March 23, 2023
“But overall and overwhelmingly, I am proud of what has been achieved.”
With that final speech concluded it will not be too long to wait to see who will take over from her position.
When will the next leader of the SNP be announced?
Voting for the position began on Monday, March 13 and will close on Monday, March 27, which is when the winner will be revealed.
More than 72,000 SNP members are eligible to vote in the contest which will shut at 12pm on March 27.
Scottish Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, former Scottish Government minister Ash Regan and Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf are vying for the post.
How to find out the SNP leadership results
It is rumoured that the result of the leadership contest will be announced at Murrayfield at 2pm on March 27, although nothing has been officially confirmed.
Sturgeon's successor as first minister will then be officially elected at Holyrood on Tuesday (March 28) and sworn in at the Court of Session the following day.
