The SNP has said its special independence conference will be postponed as it outlined its plans to appoint Nicola Sturgeon’s successor.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf is expected to announce he is running to become Scotland’s next first minister. MP Joanna Cherry has ruled herself out of the battle.
After a meeting of the party’s national executive committee those eying the top job have until February 24 to choose submit their nomination, with the vote open between March 13 and 27.
Lorna Finn, the party’s national secretary, said: “Nicola has been the outstanding politician of this generation.
“We are very fortunate that she will remain an SNP MSP and a leading campaigner for an independent Scotland.
“But the SNP is full of talented individuals and they now have the opportunity to put themselves forward and our new leader will lead us into the final phase of Scotland’s journey towards independence.”
The results of the contest will be made public as soon as the result is determined, the party said, and after the candidates have been told.
Its planned meeting on March 19, in which members were set to discuss the path towards an independence vote.
Ms Sturgeon had backed the use of the next general election as a de facto referendum.
But the party on Thursday said that would be postponed.
Ms Finn said: “It would be wrong to have a newly elected leader tied to a key decision on how we deliver democracy in Scotland in the face of continued Westminster intransigence.
“Therefore, the party’s special democracy conference, previously planned for Sunday March 19, is postponed.
“SNP Members, the lifeblood of this party and movement, will be updated in due course on details of a rearranged event once the new party leader is in place.
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