Image source, Reuters

The new SNP leader Humza Yousaf is set to be formally elected as Scotland's next first minister.

He has pledged to be a "first minister for all of Scotland" after being chosen by party members to replace Nicola Sturgeon.

Mr Yousaf, who had been serving as health secretary, also vowed to "kickstart" a grassroots campaign that would "ensure our drive for independence is in fifth gear".

Our correspondents have been looking at some of the other issues which are looming in his in-tray.

If you'd like to watch MSPs vote for their new first minister, you can do so right here.

Just click the Play button at the top of this page and you'll see BBC Scotland's live TV coverage from Holyrood.

We'll also bring you the latest updates and analysis in these posts.

Labour sees an opportunity in Sturgeon's departurepublished at 14:14 British Summer Time 28 March 2023

14:14 BST 28 March 2023

Chris Mason
Political editor

It illustrates the clout and influence of the Scottish National Party - obviously in Scotland, but also beyond - that Humza Yousaf's election as Nicola Sturgeon's successor as SNP leader was watched with fascination here at Westminster.

The reason is simple: the numbers.

The SNP group of MPs is the third largest in the Commons; it holds 45 of Scotland's 59 seats.

By contrast, Labour hold just one.

They won 41 when they last won a general election in 2005.

The actions of Sir Keir Starmer, Labour's leader, since Nicola Sturgeon announced her resignation last month are not subtle: he's visited Scotland four times.

• Read more from Chris Mason here
• Humza Yousaf succeeds Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader
• Who is Humza Yousaf, the new SNP leader?
• BBC iPlayer - Scotland's Next First Minister

Image source, EPA

Humza Yousaf is virtually certain to become the first ethnic minority leader of a devolved government by winning a majority of the votes and becoming first minister.

The leaders of the three opposition parties - the Conservatives, Labour and Lib Dems - are expected to stand against him.

But none has any prospect of winning the contest.

The Scottish Greens - who have a power-sharing agreement with the SNP - have already said they will back Yousaf, which should ensure he wins a majority in the first round of voting when the process begins at about 14:20.

All of the candidates will make a brief speech before the vote, with Yousaf expected to be formally sworn in as first minister in a brief ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

• Read more here
• Can Humza Yousaf unite the SNP?
• Who is Humza Yousaf, the new SNP leader?
• How will Scotland's new first minister be appointed?

Image source, PA Media

Humza Yousaf has been elected to succeed Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader and Scotland's next first minister. He was widely seen as being the preferred candidate of the SNP establishment - including Ms Sturgeon herself.

The health secretary was endorsed by far more MSPs and MPs than his two rivals, with Deputy First Minister John Swinney predicting that Mr Yousaf would "complete our journey to independence".

He has served in government since 2012 in roles including justice secretary and transport minister.

His supporters say he is a polished communicator who is best placed to unite the party and maintain the power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens after what has been a deeply fractious leadership contest.

Read more here.

Who's in charge?published at 14:05 British Summer Time 28 March 2023

14:05 BST 28 March 2023

Philip Sim
BBC Scotland political correspondent

Right now, Scotland doesn’t have a first minister.

King Charles has accepted Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation, and it will be tomorrow morning before Humza Yousaf is sworn in as her replacement at the Court of Session, once he’s been nominated by a majority of MSPs.

Ms Sturgeon is clearly happy to be moving on - she posted an Instagram clip of her morning walk featuring the song “Feeling Good”.

Mr Yousaf too may be on a high after his narrow victory in the leadership race.

But the burdens of office will weigh on him very quickly. He will face first minister’s questions on Thursday in the shadow of a towering in-tray of issues.

His government must wrestle with economic turbulence, the cost of living crisis and a creaking health service, all while he strives to reunite his party.

Mr Yousaf won’t need long to discover why Ms Sturgeon is “feeling good” about leaving it all behind.

Image source, Twitter

Her seat might still be warm in Bute House, but Nicola Sturgeon has already updated her status on social media.

Her Twitter bio now states: "MSP for Glasgow Southside. Former first minister of Scotland (Nov 14 - March 23)."

Her last tweet as Scotland's leader read:

"Just signed my formal letter of resignation and departed Bute House for the final time. Next stop Scottish Parliament to vote proudly for Humza Yousaf as Scotland’s 6th First Minister. From me - for now - thank you Scotland, for the privilege."

Now if you are just joining us here's the chamber timings for this historic afternoon:

2.05-2.20pm: Topical Questions

2.20-5.00pm: Selection of First Minister(see timings below)

• Nominees for First Minister (in alphabetical order by surname) will be given up to 5 minutes to speak prior to the first round of voting.

• Following selection of a nominee, previous practice has been for Party Leaders (in ascending party size order) to be given around 4 minutes to speak following the appointment, after which the nominee for First Minister will be allowed around 10 minutes to respond.

Humza Yousaf will be nominated by MSPs to replace Nicola Sturgeon as first minister.

Any MSP from any party can also be nominated for the role.

Mr Yousaf will be up against Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton this time around - although none of the opposition leaders has any prospect of winning.

After the nominees have all made a brief speech in parliament, MSPs will vote for their preferred candidate.

Image source, Reuters

A candidate must receive more votes than all of their rivals combined in order to win.

If this does not happen, the contender with the least number of votes drops out and another round of voting is held.

This process continues until one candidate gets a majority of the votes cast.

The parliament's presiding officer will then recommend to the King that he appoints the winning candidate as first minister of Scotland. Unless something truly remarkable happens, that will be Mr Yousaf.

The new first minister will be formally sworn in - probably on Wednesday - in a short ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Read more here.

That's it, Nicola Sturgeon has officially tendered her resignation as Scotland's first minister in a letter to King Charles III.

She announced last month that she would stand down once a successor was appointed. And on Monday, Humza Yousaf was elected to replace her as SNP leader. He's due to be confirmed as the new first minister in a Holyrood vote this afternoon.

Signing off from the role she's held for more than eight years, Sturgeon wrote on Twitter that she was headed to Scottish Parliament to "vote proudly" for Yousaf to become the next FM.

"From me - for now - thank you Scotland, for the privilege," she added.

Image source, PA Media

Good afternoon and welcome to another historic day at Holyrood.

Humza Yousaf is almost certain to be formally elected as Scotland's sixth first minister in a vote in the Scottish Parliament.

The new SNP leader will become the first ethnic minority leader of a devolved government by winning a majority of the votes.

We'll bring you updates, analysis and reaction throughout the afternoon.

We're expecting the opening speeches to begin at around 14:20 after topical questions.