HUMZA Yousaf’s resignation as SNP leader has sparked headlines in news outlets across the globe.
Announcing he would stay on as First Minister until a successor can be chosen, Yousaf on Monday confirmed he would quit as SNP leader after just over one year in office.
The short premiership has been noted by multiple outlets, as has Yousaf’s downfall apparently being precipitated by his own decision to end the governing Bute House Agreement with the Scottish Greens.
READ MORE: Scottish Health Secretary becomes latest figure to back John Swinney for FM
Here’s how some of the world’s media covered the story.
Dawn, Pakistan
Dawn – Pakistan’s largest English-language newspaper which is considered the country’s paper of record – said Yousaf’s resignation had the effect of “further opening the door to the UK opposition Labour Party to regain ground in its former Scottish heartlands”.
The outlet said there had been “infighting” within the SNP “over how progressive its pitch should be as it seeks to win back voters”.
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“Caught between defending the progressive record of the coalition government and some nationalists’ demands to jettison gender recognition reforms and refocus on the economy, Yousaf could not strike a balance that would ensure his survival,” it reported.
The Times of India
The Times of India ran the headline: “Scotland's leader resigns after conflicts over climate change, gender identity weakened government".
It said Yousaf’s announcement had triggered “a leadership contest as the governing Scottish National Party seeks to heal internal divisions and strengthen its position ahead of UK-wide parliamentary elections expected later this year”.
The Times of India also included a choice quote from historian and Glasgow University professor Murray Pittock about the end of the SNP-Green governing deal.
"Hurt egos have destroyed countries before now, so it's not exactly surprising that they are currently leading to the mess we're in,” Pittock said. “You can't hurt people's egos any more than by chucking them straight out of ministerial office with no warning, and their entire party with them."
Le Monde, France
The French paper of record said Yousaf had resigned “before he was due to face two confidence votes this week sparked by his torpedoing a coalition with the Green Party by ditching a target for fighting climate change”.
Le Monde further reported that Yousaf had come under pressure over the introduction of new hate crime laws, which it reported had “been heavily criticised, including most prominently by Harry Potter author JK Rowling, who lives in Edinburgh”.
El Diario, Spain
The left-leaning Spanish newspaper El Diario reported Yousaf (below) had resigned “after just a year in office and after the loss of support from the Green Party for reversing policies against the climate crisis”.
It said his decision was formally announced “after two days of ‘reflection’ over the weekend”.
It further noted: “The Scottish leader has not had an easy mandate. His party, which has been in power since 2007, was already facing a difficult time when Sturgeon resigned due to the shelved cause of independence, the crisis in public services and investigations into finances.”
The Irish Times
Leading Irish newspaper The Irish Times reported that the First Minister’s resignation marked the “latest in a series of headaches for the nationalist party” as it pointed to the ongoing investigation into party finances.
It carried a number of reactions as part of the report and, like many, speculated who is in line to succeed Yousaf.
The report suggested that Kate Forbes (above) was among the frontrunners but noted that she would “struggle to garner Green support”.
Given it was written on Monday, the report also suggested Neil Gray could be among those to replace Yousaf although he has since given his backing to John Swinney.
The Washington Post
In the United States, the Washington Post carried an article titled “Scotland leader Humza Yousaf resigns in latest setback for independence”.
READ MORE: SNP confirm leadership race details after Yousaf resignation
It pointed out that he was facing two no-confidence votes in the Scottish Parliament and added that the “dream” of independence “seems as out of reach as ever”.
In terms of why he was forced to resign, the article also pointed to the Scottish Government’s rollback on climate commitments and the decision to pause access to puberty blockers for those under 18.
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