The head of the Scottish government Humza Yousaf begins a trip to Brussels on Monday, intended to build relations with the European Union which the leader of the SNP wishes to join one day at the head of a Scotland which would become independent.
The visit of the new leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) comes two days after an independence convention for his political party, where he announced that he wanted – if he wins the next general election – to prepare the ground for future accession of Scotland to the EU by sending a representative to Brussels.
“Scotland was pulled out of the EU despite voting to stay, and the UK government’s Brexit deal is making it harder for Scots to travel, work and trade with EU countries. “said the 38-year-old independence leader in a statement.
“Despite this, Scotland remains resolutely European and committed to having strong and fruitful relations with our neighbors and partners in the European Union,” he added.
On Humza Yousaf’s agenda for this first trip abroad since coming to power at the end of March, commercial, diplomatic and political meetings, according to the Scottish government.
During his first major speech to his troops on Saturday, Humza Yousaf put the issue of independence at the heart of the campaign for the next general elections, which are to be held by the end of next year, promising to seek to negotiate with London a transfer of power to Scotland if his party obtains a majority of seats.
Despite repeated refusals from London, Nicola Sturgeon’s successor is seeking to be able to organize a new referendum on independence, arguing that Brexit has changed the situation since the Scots chose in 2014 to remain within the United Kingdom.
Since the surprise departure of the former Prime Minister at the start of the year, who invoked a lack of “energy” to continue, the SNP has seen its ratings collapse, under the effect of a succession of revelations then that the police investigate the finances of the SNP.
Nicola Sturgeon and her husband were taken into custody in this context, but have not been prosecuted at this stage. Both deny any infringement.
06/26/2023 02:13:00 – Edinburgh (AFP) – © 2023 AFP
