Depute First Meenister O Scotland

The post is hauden bi John Swinney syne 2014. Syne the May 2021 election, he is baith Deputy First Meenister an Cabinet Secretar fir Covid Recovery.

The post isna recogneesed in statute (as agin the post o First Meenister, estaiblisht bi the Scotland Act 1998), an its hauder is juist an ordinar member o the Scots Executive, but the post haes existit in practice syne the estaiblishment o the Scots Pairlament an Scots Executive in 1999.

The Addeetional Member Seestem uised for tae wale Memmers o the Scots Pairlament maks it haurd for an aesome pairty tae hae an absolute majority. Frae 1999 tae 2007 the Scots Executive wis pitten thegither bi a Labour an Leeberal Democrat coalition. The First Meenister wis appyntit frae the majority coalition pairtner (Labour) an the Depute First Meenister frae the minority pairtner (Leeberal Democrats).

Syne 2007, the Scots Executive haes been a Scots National Pairty minority administration; the First Meenister Alex Salmond appyntit the depute convenor o the SNP, Nicola Sturgeon, as Depute First Meenister. And syne the 20t November 2014, Sturgeon wis hersel the First Meenister, an she appyntit John Swinney as her depute, and baith were re-electit in May 2021.

The responsibilities o the Depute First Meenister are set bi the First Meenister o Scotland.

While the first First Meenister, Donald Dewar, wis seek, the then Depute First Meenister Jim Wallace teuk ower the rinnin o the Executive.

• Jim Wallace (1999-2005) Leeberal Democrat
• Nicol Stephen (2005-2007) Leeberal Democrat
• Nicola Sturgeon (2007-2014) Scots National Pairty
• John Swinney (2014-present) Scots National Pairty