Nicola Sturgeon will be appointed SNP leader today, but will have to wait until next week before becoming Scotland’s new first minister.
The process of nominating a candidate to lead the Scottish Government will take place at Holyrood on Wednesday.
All nominations must be made by a MSP and seconded by another and votes will be cast at 2.40pm.
Ms Sturgeon is the only candidate for the £85,002 a year job, taking her total salary to £143,680, and she will be given the opportunity to explain why she deserves support if she wishes.
MSPs will be asked to vote yes, no or abstain and the result is a given because the SNP holds a majority of the parliament’s 129 seats.
As required by the Scotland Act 1998 and following parliament’s approval, Presiding Officer Tricia Marwick MSP will recommend to The Queen that Ms Sturgeon is appointed.
The Glasgow Southside MSP will be officially sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh the following day before taking part in first minister’s question time at noon.
Traditionally a new first minister has an audience with the Queen but it is not clear when that will take place.
Nicola Sturgeon will have to wait until next week to be First Minister
