First Salmond government

First Salmond government

5th government of Scotland
2007–2011
Date formed17 May 2007
Date dissolved19 May 2011
People and organisations
MonarchElizabeth II
First MinisterAlex Salmond
First Minister's history2007–2014
Deputy First MinisterNicola Sturgeon
Total no. of members16
Member parties
  •   Scottish National Party
Status in legislatureMinority
47 / 129 (36%)
Opposition party  Scottish Labour Party
Opposition leaderJack McConnell (2007)
Cathy Jamieson (2007)
Wendy Alexander (2007-08)
Cathy Jamieson (2008)
Iain Gray (2008-11)
History
Election2007 general election
Outgoing election2011 general election
Legislature term3rd Scottish Parliament
PredecessorSecond McConnell government
SuccessorSecond Salmond government

The first Salmond government, which was sworn in on 17 May 2007 at the start of the 3rd Scottish Parliament, was an SNP minority government. Having won the largest number of seats in the general election (47 of 129) the SNP sought to form a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats. When those talks failed, the SNP chose to form a one-party minority government. The SNP and Scottish Greens signed an agreement where the Greens supported SNP ministerial appointments, but did not offer support for any confidence or budget votes ("confidence and supply").[1] SNP leader, Alex Salmond was elected First Minister on 16 May 2007; he was officially sworn in and his slate of ministerial appointments were ratified by the Scottish Parliament the following day.

This article is part of
a series about
Alex Salmond
Leader of the SNP (1990–2000; 2004–2014)
Post Premiership
Leader of the Alba Party (2021–2024)
  1. ^ "SNP and Greens sign working deal". BBC News. BBC. 11 May 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2016.