Scotland: the independence party begins to vote to replace Nicola Sturgeon

Scottish separatists start voting on Monday to elect their leader to become the new First Minister of Scotland after the surprise resignation of Nicola Sturgeon in mid-February, a particularly important election for the future of the United Kingdom.

Three candidates are in the running to succeed Sturgeon as leader of the Scottish Independence Party (SNP): local finance minister Kate Forbes, whose conservative remarks have created controversy in her left-leaning party, local health minister Humza Yousaf, the first Muslim member of the Scottish government, and Ash Regan, a former minister who resigned last year.

All three have promised to take up the torch for independence carried for eight years by Nicola Sturgeon, who announced that she was throwing in the towel on February 15, explaining that she no longer had the necessary energy.

However, she remains in office during the transition.

The name of his successor is due to be announced on March 27, after an unprecedented vote since 2004 for the independence party.

Read alsoScotland: a candidate in difficulty after her remarks on gay marriage

After the failure of the first independence referendum in 2014, Nicola Sturgeon wanted a second consultation, which London strongly opposed, backed by a Supreme Court ruling last year.

The Prime Minister then announced that she would make the local elections in 2026 a

referendum for or against independence, a controversial choice even within her party when the polls show a very divided electorate on the question.

Progressive transgender law divides candidates

She also found herself in trouble after London blocked a controversial law she pushed through on gender transitions.

Kate Forbes, a 32-year-old candidate and fervent Christian, was particularly fiercely opposed.

Perceived as a rising star of the party, she has repeatedly shared her conservative positions, particularly on LGBT + issues and on having children outside marriage.

Another candidate to succeed Nicola Sturgeon, Ash Regan, 49, had resigned from the government by refusing the controversial bill last year.

Read alsoCharles III: six questions about a reign that is beginning

Humza Yousaf, 37, is the only candidate who has promised to maintain the premier's progressive social policies.

“

,” he said Thursday during a televised debate.

He is supported by allies of Nicola Sturgeon but according to polls, Forbes is the most popular both among independence voters and among Scots as a whole.

According to a poll published on Sunday, 33% of Scots support Kate Forbes, against 18% for Humza Yousaf and 10% for Ash Regan.

The poll is very important for the future of the United Kingdom, whose divisions between the four constituent nations (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland) have been deepened by Brexit.

The shock announcement of Nicola Sturgeon's departure left a huge void.

In eight years in power - a record - the leader who arrived after the "

" victory in 2014 had succeeded in reviving her defeated camp and accumulated electoral success.

The independence cause, the raison d'être of the SNP, was revived by Brexit, which had been opposed by 62% of Scots, the SNP seeing a break with London as the way to return to the European Union.