First Minister of Scotland elect its members, it is difficult for a single party to gain an overall majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament. The SNP gained an overall majority of seats in the 2011 election, and thus had enough numbers to vote in its leader, Alex Salmond, as First Minister for a second term. After the election of the Scottish Parliament, a First Minister must be nominated within a period of 28 days. Under the terms of the Scotland Act, if the Parliament fails to nominate a First Minister, within this time frame, it will be dissolved and a fresh election held.
Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development The Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development is a junior ministerial post in the Scottish Government. As a result, the minister does not attend the Scottish Cabinet. The minister supports the Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, who is a full member of the cabinet. The post was created in September 2012. The specific responsibilities of the minister are: In September 2012 the position of Minister for External Affairs and International Development was created; the name of the role changed a November 2014 reshuffle when Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister.