Humza Yousaf has been chosen as the leader of the Scottish National Party and is on the stand to become the first Muslim and Asian to occupy the highest position.
The 37-year-old emerged as the new first minister triumphing over his rivals Kate Forbes and Ash Regan to replace Nicola Sturgeon.
The Sky News reported on Monday, that Yousaf, the Cabinet Health Minister emerged following a boisterous campaign that exposed deep divisions in the party that has dominated Scottish politics under his predecessor.
The report further said he is almost certain to be confirmed as Scotland’s next first minister in a nominal vote at Holyrood on Tuesday.
The SNP’s national secretary, Lorna Finn, announced that the turnout in the party’s leadership election was 70%.
For first preferences in the STV system, Yousaf polled 24,336 votes (48%), Forbes gathered 20,559 votes (40%) and Regan had 5,599 votes (11%).
When second preferences were distributed in the second stage, Yousaf took 26,032 (52%) and Forbes took 23,890 (48%).
Yousaf defeated Forbes, a candidate from the center-right since he has the most experience and has previously managed the justice and transportation portfolios.
Sturgeon’s unexpected resignation in February, which was spun as an existential struggle over the SNP’s future course, served as the catalyst for the leadership contest.
According to Sky News, Yousaf, who has the backing of the majority of SNP MSPs and MPs, had pledged to carry on the Sturgeon administration’s center-left, socially inclusive agenda.