Date formed 18 May 2011 Head of government Alex Salmond Status in legislature Majority | Date dissolved 19 November 2014 Head of state Elizabeth II | |
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Member party Scottish National Party | ||
Following the 2011 elections to the 4th Scottish Parliament, the Scottish National Party, led by Alex Salmond, formed the second Salmond government on 18 May 2011. This was the first majority government in the history of the devolved parliament.
Salmond announced his resignation as leader of the Scottish National Party on 19 September 2014 following the Scottish independence referendum; his resignation took effect on 14 November when Nicola Sturgeon was elected unopposed to replace him. The second Salmond government was dissolved upon Sturgeon becoming first minister on 19 November 2014, and replaced with the first Sturgeon government.
History
On 19 May 2011, after Salmond was re-elected as first minister, his cabinet was increased in size, from five cabinet secretaries to eight.