LONDON (AFP) - Alex Salmond, the leader of Scotland's pro-independence nationalists, was elected as the country's first minister Wednesday, two weeks after his party's historic election win.
The Scottish National Party (SNP) head used his first speech as parliament leader to reaffirm his support for breaking away from the United Kingdom, saying: "We seek independence and equality for Scotland."
The 129 lawmakers voted Salmond in as first minister by 49 to 46, paving the way for him to form a minority administration in the Edinburgh assembly, which has limited powers in areas like health, education and transport.
Queen Elizabeth II signed the warrant that officially appoints him, her office said. She will receive Salmond in his new role at an audience in Scotland next week.
Salmond's appointment is is the first time a party other than Prime Minister Tony Blair's Labour has held power in Scotland since the parliament was set up in 1999, and could pose problems for Blair's pro-union successor, Gordon Brown.
But the one-seat margin of his party's victory in the May 3 poll, and its inability since to strike a majority coalition deal with smaller parties, means the SNP could struggle to push through an independence referendum.
As it stands, the SNP has 47 seats -- 18 short of a majority -- Labour 46, the Conservative Party 17 and the Liberal Democrats 16. The Greens have two seats and an independent former SNP member one.
Salmond told the chamber he recognised the potential difficulties of securing agreement for SNP policies over the next four years before proposing an 18-member ministerial team at the Scottish Executive.
"In this century there are limits to what governments can achieve. But one thing any government I lead will never lack is ambition for Scotland," he said.
The small country had a "big future" and was "ready for reform", he added..
"Today, I commit myself to leadership wholly and exclusively in the Scottish national interest. We will appeal for support policy by policy across this chamber."
Last week, the SNP failed to strike a formal coalition deal with the Greens but signed a co-operation deal to pursue a "progressive programme... which places climate change at the heart of its agenda".
The Lib Dems ruled out a partnership because of the SNP's plans to hold an independence referendum by 2010, while a deal with the Tories was not on the table.
Salmond disputed claims that Scotland was a "divided nation" because of his party's position. Labour argues it would imperil the 300-year-old union with England and Wales and lead to economic instability.
"In this part of the chamber, we seek independence and equality for Scotland. I'm told that not everyone in the chamber agrees with that policy, although some do," he added.
"But there is a broad consensus, I believe, for this parliament to assume greater responsibility for the government of Scotland and there is a real understanding that we are engaged in a process of self-government.
"I think there is an awareness of the distance that we've already travelled."
The fact that a Scottish Parliament existed was proof that "we are stronger, so much stronger, as a result", he said.
"We are diverse, not divided," he added, as his wife Moira, father Robert, and sister Gail looked on from the public gallery.
The Scottish Parliament election -- seen as the most important for a generation -- was overshadowed by problems with the electronic counting of votes and spoilt ballot papers.
Salmond has said one of his first tasks will be to investigate what went wrong.
Pro-independence leader takes helm in Scotland
Originally Posted by McClef
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