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United Kingdom: the election of the leader of the Scottish Nationalist Party does not excite

Audio 01:22

SNP leadership candidates Ash Regan, Humza Yousaf and Kate Forbes, during a debate in Inverness, March 17, 2023. AP - Paul Campbell

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2 min

We will know on Monday, March 27 the name of Nicola Sturgeon's successor. The pro-independence Scottish First Minister announced her resignation in mid-February. The two favorites are Health Minister Humza Yousaf (seen as progressive) and Finance Minister Kate Forbes, a practicing and conservative Christian. Meeting with some Scots not always passionate about the countryside.

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With our special envoy in Edinburgh, Emeline Vin

The campaign focused on social issues. Kirsten does not want Kate Forbes, the finance minister opposed to gay marriage, to win: "If someone wants to practice their religion at home, it's perfectly legitimate. But for me, it is incredibly dangerous in this day and age to put in power someone who opposes the fundamental rights of all. If we talked about race and not gay marriage, no one would support it!

A retired nationalist voter, Anthea finds for her part that the candidate defends Scottish sovereignty, against her main opponent, the Minister of Health: "She says sensible things: for the fishermen, for the rural communities of the west of Scotland, for the islands and the Highlands. It seems financially responsible. And then, Humza Yousaf made such a mess in the public hospital.

The election, reserved for the 70,000 members of the Scottish National Party (SNP), did not excite Scots in general. David doesn't know a single candidate. And for him, none will be able to reach the ankle of the outgoing Nicola Sturgeon. "I didn't agree with everything," he says, "but she did what she said, and that commands my respect. She seemed to have her work at heart, not to be involved in politics for her own self-interest. It's sad to see her go. The future ex-Prime Minister did not support any of the candidates for her succession.

►Read more: Scotland: independence activists vote to find their new Prime Minister

►Read also: Scotland: Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, resigns from SNP leadership

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