MOSCOW, October 15 (RIA Novosti) - Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will replace Alex Salmond as head of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and become Scotland's first-ever female leader, the BBC reported Wednesday.
She will formally take over the party leadership next month, as she was the only person to submit her candidacy ahead of Wednesday's deadline.
Sturgeon's appointment as first minister would still require parliamentary approval, but as the SNP has a majority of seats there, her candidacy will most likely go through.
Current First Minister Alex Salmond announced that he would step down from his post after the Scottish referendum, which proved unsuccessful for him as the majority of Scots chose not to secede from the United Kingdom.
Sturgeon, 44, has stated that she is not preparing for a new referendum, but warned London that it should deliver on its promises, made by British Prime Minister David Cameron during the "No" campaign ahead of the vote in Scotland.
Sturgeon has been Scottish deputy first minister since 2007 and SNP deputy leader since 2004. She also currently serves as the Cabinet secretary for parliament and government strategy and Cabinet secretary for infrastructure, investment and cities.
