Swinney Takes on ‘Extraordinary Opportunity’ as Scotland’s New First Minister

John Swinney, the new leader of the SNP, has been sworn in as Scotland’s first minister, describing it as an “extraordinary opportunity.” On Monday Mr. Swinney became leader of the SNP and he was nominated as first minister after a parliamentary vote on Tuesday in which seven Green MSPs abstained. He was backed by the 63 SNP MSPs and Ash Regan from the Alba Party. Scotland’s most senior judge, the Lord President Lord Carloway, presided over the ceremony at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Wednesday morning. Mr. Swinney, 60, made his statutory declarations and became first minister and keeper of the Scottish Seal....