After eight years as Scotland's First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is stepping down, sparking a political earthquake on the island.
The news ticker.
Excitement on the island:
Scotland's first minister Nicola Sturgeon causes earthquakes in Great Britain with her resignation
Press Conference Live:
Sturgeon explains her decision at a specially convened press conference
Sturgeon's resignation:
all the news about political developments in Scotland in our news ticker.
+++ 12.56 p.m .:
According to Nicola Sturgeon, she is convinced that now is the right moment for her resignation: “In my head and in my heart I know that the time has come.
That's the right thing for me, my party and for our country."
+++ 12.45 p.m .:
Nicola Sturgeon gave the first reasons for her resignation at the press conference in Edinburgh.
"Life as a politician has become much more intense, dare I say brutal, than in previous years," said Scotland's first minister.
Nicola Sturgeon declares resignation with "brutal" politics
+++ 12.22 p.m .:
According to Nicola Sturgeon, her decision is not a reaction to current political developments.
On the contrary, she does not have the feeling that she is doing her job at the head of the Scottish government with the energy that is necessary.
"A new leader is better at that," Sturgeon said.
But she is confident that her party has enough personal potential. "The SNP is full of talented individuals who can do it."
+++ 12.14 p.m .:
It is official.
Nicola Sturgeon resigns as Scotland's first woman minister.
Sturgeon said at a press conference in Scotland that she would remain in office until her successor had been determined.
Nicola Sturgeon announces resignation at press conference
+++ 12.05 p.m .:
In Edinburgh everything is already prepared for Nicola Sturgeon’s press conference.
In a few moments, Scotland's Prime Minister will probably step in front of the microphones.
+++ 11.41 a.m .:
Even before Sturgeon’s resignation is official, there is already speculation about the reasons.
It is very likely that the failure of the 52-year-old politician in Scotland's struggle for independence was decisive.
This is what the dpa
news agency suspects, among others
.
London had blocked a new vote she wanted on Scottish independence.
The highest court in Great Britain had also denied the Scottish regional parliament the right to hold a referendum without the consent of the British government.
Nicola Sturgeon on the verge of stepping down as Prime Minister of Scotland
First report from February 15, 11:20 a.m.:
Edinburgh – Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will probably announce her resignation today.
According to information from the British BBC, the leader of the "Scottish National Party" will announce her resignation from political office at a "hurriedly arranged press conference" in Edinburgh, as the BBC writes in its report.
Nicola Sturgeon has been Scotland's first woman minister since November 2014 and the first woman to hold that post.
At that time she had replaced Alex Salmond in office.
Sturgeon is seen as a supporter of Scotland's independence process from London.
It is not known how long the 52-year-old politician will remain in office.
(dil)