Resigning Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon bid an emotional farewell to the local Parliament in Edinburgh on Thursday, calling on her successor not to be afraid of the "
big challenges
" ahead.
"
Next week we will find out who will see his portrait join mine in the stairwell of Bute House
", the official residence of the head of the Scottish government, said the 52-year-old independence leader.
A fierce campaigner for Scottish independence, Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation on February 15 to everyone's surprise, explaining that she no longer had the necessary energy after eight years in power.
After an internal ballot organized by the independence party Scottish National Party (SNP), the name of the person who will succeed him must be announced next Monday.
Candidates running
Three candidates are in the running: 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.
“
It will either be the second female prime minister, or the first from an ethnic minority
,” continued Nicola Sturgeon, calling on whoever succeeds her to “
never forget that everything in this position is an opportunity to do something. best for someone somewhere in Scotland
".
“The privilege of my life”
“
Don't back down from big challenges
,” she said, “
you'll never do everything right.
But it's always better to try to aim high and fail than not to try at all
.
“
Words cannot say enough of the gratitude and respect that is in my heart for the opportunity I had to serve as Prime Minister,
” she concluded, declaring in a wavering voice: “
it was truly the privilege of my life
”.
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