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February 17, 2023

Nicola Sturgeon Resigns as Scottish Leader Amid Challenges Over Independence
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Nicola Sturgeon has announced she is stepping down as first minister of
Scotland. Sturgeon is the first woman to hold the post, as well as the
first woman to lead the Scottish National Party.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon: "Essentially, I've been trying to answer
two questions. Is carrying on right for me and more importantly, is me
carrying on right for the country, for my party, and for the
independence cause I have devoted my life to."

Sturgeon will stay in her role until a successor is appointed. Her
resignation comes amid stark divisions over Scottish independence. In
November the British Supreme Court ruled Scotland cannot hold another
independence referendum without the green light from the British
government. The U.K. government also recently vetoed a Scottish bill
that would make it easier for people to change their legal gender.
Sturgeon condemned the veto as a "full-frontal attack" on the Scottish
Parliament.


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