Alex Salmond, the former First Minister of Scotland and a prominent figure in the Scottish independence movement, has passed away at the age of 69. His death was confirmed on Saturday after he reportedly collapsed following a speech in North Macedonia earlier that day.
Salmond served as First Minister from 2007 to 2014, during which time he played a pivotal role in transforming the Scottish National Party (SNP) into a dominant political force.
Under his leadership, the SNP secured a historic majority in the 2011 Scottish Parliament elections, setting the stage for the 2014 independence referendum.
The referendum sparked intense national debate, ultimately resulting in a defeat for the independence movement, with 55% voting against independence. Following this loss, Salmond resigned as First Minister and stepped down as party leader.
In 2018, Salmond faced allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to his resignation from the SNP. However, he was acquitted of all charges in 2020 after a two-week trial. The allegations strained his relationship with his successor, Nicola Sturgeon, and caused significant turmoil within the SNP.
After leaving the SNP, Salmond founded the pro-independence Alba Party in 2021, continuing his advocacy for Scottish independence.
The news of Salmond’s death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the political spectrum. Anas Sarwar, leader of the Scottish Labour Party, expressed his condolences, stating, “The sad news of Alex Salmond’s passing today will come as a shock to all who knew him in Scotland, across the UK and beyond.”
He acknowledged Salmond’s significant contributions to Scottish politics over more than three decades.