Scottish First Minister John Swinney says the SNP has won the Holyrood election “emphatically,” even though the party does not secure an overall majority. As counting concludes and results for nearly all seats are declared, the SNP finishes with either 57 or 58 MSPs depending on the stage of reporting, but it falls short of the required majority. In the final tallies reported after more than 16 hours of counting, the SNP is described as having 58 MSPs—seven short of a majority.
Labour is reported as the second-largest party with 17 MSPs, and Reform UK is reported as tied or narrowly competing for second place depending on the outlet’s framing, with figures of 15 MSPs mentioned when not all results were yet confirmed. One source also says Labour records its worst ever Holyrood result while tying for second place with Reform UK.
Swinney’s comments focus on an interpretation of electoral victory and continued SNP governance, including reference to a fifth term in power, despite the SNP needing support to pass legislation without a majority.
