The head of the Scottish Government yesterday announced the decision to step down as leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP), eight years after taking over the reins of the country in the wake of the ‘no’ in the independence referendum in 2014. In a surprise announcement, Nicola Sturgeon, despite the setbacks he has suffered, opened the door to the succession battle without a clear candidate and left the independence process on hold. In the speech, however, he recalled that this cause is “much bigger than any individual” and said he “firmly believes” that whoever succeeds him will achieve this goal.
While the decision took everyone by surprise – just weeks ago, when New Zealander Jacinda Ardern announced her departure, she told the BBC she was “not even close” to doing the same – Sturgeon claimed it’s not a “response to momentary pressure.” On the contrary, “it comes from a deeper and long-term evaluation” and that in his mind and heart, now is the time to leave, admitting that he no longer has the ability to “give all the energy it needs” to the position.
Source: DN
