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Nicola Sturgeon to become Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon becomes Scottish first minister
(about 2 hours later)
Nicola Sturgeon is expected to be voted in as Scotland's first minister by parliament later, after Alex Salmond stepped down from the role. Nicola Sturgeon has been voted in as Scotland's first minister by parliament, after Alex Salmond stepped down from the role.
Ms Sturgeon, who would be the first woman to hold the post, has already succeeded Mr Salmond as SNP leader. Ms Sturgeon, who is the first woman to hold the post, has already succeeded Mr Salmond as SNP leader.
She will take part in her first first minister's questions in the new job on Thursday.She will take part in her first first minister's questions in the new job on Thursday.
Ms Sturgeon is also expected shortly to announce the make-up of her cabinet and junior ministerial team.Ms Sturgeon is also expected shortly to announce the make-up of her cabinet and junior ministerial team.
MSPs will go through the process of voting for candidates for first minister on Wednesday afternoon. MSPs went through the process of voting for candidates for first minister on Wednesday afternoon.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson is also putting her name forward as a "Unionist alternative", although the SNP's parliamentary majority is set to ensure Ms Sturgeon gets the job as Scotland's fifth first minister. Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson also put her name forward as a "Unionist alternative", although the SNP's parliamentary majority helped ensure Ms Sturgeon got the job as Scotland's fifth first minister.
Speaking in parliament, Ms Sturgeon pledged to be first minister "of and for all of Scotland".
She said: "A first minister who will always have big ambitions for this country and a first minister who, day in and day out, will apply herself to the job of protecting our public services, supporting our businesses and tackling inequality."
Ms Sturgeon told MSPs: "I am ready and willing to take on these responsibilities. There is a job to be done - a big job to be done, adding: "I look forward now to getting on and doing it."
Ministerial reshuffleMinisterial reshuffle
On Thursday, Ms Sturgeon is due to swear an oath of allegiance before Scotland's judges in Edinburgh's Court of Session, and will receive a Royal Warrant. On Thursday, Ms Sturgeon will be formally sworn into the role before Scotland's judges in Edinburgh's Court of Session, and will receive a Royal Warrant.
She is also expected to appoint a deputy first minister, possibly as part of a wider reshuffle of the Scottish government's ministerial team. She is also expected to appoint a deputy first minister, possibly as part of a wider reshuffle of the Scottish government's ministerial team later in the week.
Mr Salmond, who stood down as first minister and SNP leader in the wake of the "No" vote in September's Scottish independence referendum, is staying on as the MSP for Abderdeenshire East.Mr Salmond, who stood down as first minister and SNP leader in the wake of the "No" vote in September's Scottish independence referendum, is staying on as the MSP for Abderdeenshire East.
However, the former MP is also considering standing for Westminster in the 2015 UK election.However, the former MP is also considering standing for Westminster in the 2015 UK election.
Ms Sturgeon's friends and family are expected to be in the public gallery of the Holyrood chamber to see her become first minister. Ms Sturgeon's friends and family were present at Holyrood to see her become first minister.
The politicians's mother, Joan Sturgeon, said her daughter had achieved her life's ambition and she was "very, very proud" of her.The politicians's mother, Joan Sturgeon, said her daughter had achieved her life's ambition and she was "very, very proud" of her.
The selection of the parliament's nominee for first minister can be watched live from 14:40 or later on demand, at BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.The selection of the parliament's nominee for first minister can be watched live from 14:40 or later on demand, at BBC Scotland's Democracy Live website.
The women-only clubThe women-only club
Nicola Sturgeon is set to become the 20th member of the worldwide club of women leaders. At 44, she'll be one of the youngest in its ranks - although she can't beat South Korea's Park Geun-hye who took on her power role at the tender age of 22.Nicola Sturgeon is set to become the 20th member of the worldwide club of women leaders. At 44, she'll be one of the youngest in its ranks - although she can't beat South Korea's Park Geun-hye who took on her power role at the tender age of 22.
So, how else does Ms Sturgeon - the Irvine-born former solicitor - compare with other's in this exclusive set?So, how else does Ms Sturgeon - the Irvine-born former solicitor - compare with other's in this exclusive set?