Scottish parliament supports holding referendum on independence

The Scottish Parliament supported holding a referendum on independence from the United Kingdom, the Scottish government reported on social network X.

"The Scottish Parliament voted to support calls for a referendum on Scottish independence," the statement said.

As The National reports, on May 26 a majority of deputies (72 against 55) voted to support Scottish First Minister John Swinney's appeal to the UK government. The minister demands the issuance of an order in accordance with Art. 30 of the Scotland Act 1998, which would transfer to the Scottish Parliament the authority to organize a referendum on independence.

Swinney is a supporter of Scottish independence and leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP). On May 19 he was re-elected as first minister of the region after the SNP's victory in local elections. Previously, on April 27, the minister stated that immediately after the elections he would propose that deputies vote on holding a referendum on independence, The Guardian wrote.

On May 9, the SNP, which advocates separation from the United Kingdom, won 58 seats in the regional parliamentary elections and for the fifth time in a row became the largest political force in Scotland. The Labour Party and Reform UK shared second place: both received 17 seats each. Swinney called the voting results confirmation of support for the party's course.

Source: RBC