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The party or parties that win the election form the Scottish Government. In 2021 this was the SNP.

The leader of the Scottish Government is known as the First Minister for Scotland.

Each department of the Scottish Government, for example Education, is led by a minister who is responsible to the Scottish Parliament for the work of their department.

Each minister is supported by a number of junior Scottish ministers who, in turn, are supported by civil servants or government employees.

The First Minister

Any MSP can become the First Minister but it is usually the leader of the party with the most MSPs.

What are the responsibilities of the First Minister?

The responsibilities of the First Minister include:

• representing Scotland at home and abroad
• deciding the priorities of the Scottish Government
• choosing cabinet ministers

The First Minister appears weekly at First Minister's Questions (FMQs) to answer questions from MSPs. This takes place every Thursday at midday.

Who is the First Minister of Scotland?

After the 2021 election, the party with the most MSPs was the SNP and Nicola Sturgeon was re-elected as First Minister.

SNP party leader Humza Yousaf became First Minister in March 2023, following a leadership election after the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.

In May 2024 Humza Yousef stood down as First Minister and leader of the SNP. John Swinney has since taken over as leader of the SNP and was nominated First Minister.