In Scotland, the Scottish separatists won the elections for the local Parliament on Saturday 8 May by winning 64 seats, just under the absolute majority of 65 seats, and winning a fourth term at the head of this British nation.

According to the results released on Saturday, the Greens, also in favor of separation from the United Kingdom, won eight seats, allowing the formation of a majority in favor of independence.

With this pro-Scottish independence majority, the Scottish National Party (SNP) hopes to force London to accept a new self-determination referendum rejected by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Boris Johnson's conservatives are therefore in the minority, in second position with only 31 deputies sent to Holyrood's Parliament in Edinburgh.

"It is the will of this country"

The leader of the Scottish National Party on Saturday urged the British Prime Minister not to oppose the "will" of the Scottish people for a self-determination referendum.

 "It is the will of this country," she insisted, warning that any attempt by the Conservatives to block the organization of a new vote would place them "in direct opposition to the will of the Scottish people and demonstrate that the UK is not a partnership of equals.

Then speaking to her supporters, she assured that there was "simply no democratic justification for Boris Johnson, or anyone, to seek to block the right of the Scottish people to choose their own future".

>> To read Independence, "elephant in the room" of the Scottish elections

Boris Johnson, who has the last word on whether or not to authorize this referendum, strongly opposes it.

"A referendum in the current context is irresponsible and reckless," he told The Telegraph daily.

The British Prime Minister believes that such a consultation can only happen "once in a generation".

In the 2014 referendum, 55% of voters rejected independence. 

The SNP believes, however, that Brexit has been a game-changer, with Scots voting 62% to stay in the European Union. 

The summary of the week

France 24 invites you to come back to the news that marked the week

I subscribe

Take international news everywhere with you!

Download the France 24 application

google-play-badge_FR