John Swinney has been appointed as first minister of Scotland by the Scottish Parliament, following the 2026 election.

Swinney has outlined his ambitions for the parliamentary term, including action to tackle the cost of living, improve the NHS and grow the economy to create opportunity across Scotland.

He is expected to be formally appointed with a Royal Warrant from His Majesty King Charles III and will be sworn in on Wednesday, where he will take the Official Oath in front of the Lord President of the Court of Session and other senior judges. 

Swinney said: “I have ambitious goals for this Parliamentary session. I want to ease the cost of living crisis, ensure the NHS is protected and easy to access, ensure cohesion in our communities and protect the environment, and grow the economy and create opportunity across our country.

“I believe I can achieve a majority for every ambition I have for this Parliament and I look forward to working with many here to do so. That, of course, includes the question of Scotland’s constitutional future on which I recognise there are profound differences of opinion. Indeed the people have now elected the largest pro-independence majority in the history of devolution.

“I will be a First Minister for all of Scotland. A First Minister that works to bring people together with a strong sense of national purpose. The country I seek to build is a country where everyone feels accepted and able to contribute to our national story.

“I gratefully accept this opportunity to serve as First Minister. It is the greatest privilege and the greatest responsibility of my life. I promise to work every day to repay the trust that the people of Scotland have placed in me.”