The Scottish Nationalist Party has secured a convincing victory in the parliamentary elections.
It is in itself an achievement after 14 years with government power.
But a meager mandate is missing for its own majority and it certainly hurts a lot for Prime Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
With its own majority behind it, the demands for a new referendum on independence had weighed heavier, and it had been more difficult for Boris Johnson to continue to say no.
The greens play a crucial role
Now the SNP leader has to make do with the fact that the zealots for independence still get a majority position in parliament.
Together, the SNP and the Greens get 72 seats out of 129 possible.
The Greens are making a canonical choice and will play a crucial role as the SNP takes the fight for independence forward.
Nicola Sturgeon has already made it clear that she will call for a new independence vote and that Boris Johnson is wise not to stand in the way of democracy.
The goal is to hold the vote by the end of 2023 when the corona pandemic is hopefully under control.
Probably a legal tug of war
But the road there is long and narrow.
Probably both a political and a legal tug-of-war await where the outcome is uncertain.
And the SNP leader does not want an illegal referendum.
That would make future EU membership impossible.
It is also worth pointing out that a new referendum would not automatically lead to independence.
For the Scots are still divided on the issue.
One half wants independence, the other wants to stay in the British Union.
There is no shortage of challenges for the SNP after today's election victory.