Scotland’s leader resigns after conflicts over climate change, gender identity weakened government WSOC TV [Video]

LONDON — (AP) — Scotland’s first minister, Humza Yousaf, resigned on Monday, triggering a leadership contest as the governing Scottish National Party seeks to avoid early elections.

Yousaf, whose party has been weakened by a campaign finance scandal and divisions over transgender rights, was finally brought down by his decision to oust the Green Party from his governing coalition because of differences over climate change goals. He was forced to resign after that left him unable to cobble together a majority in Scotland’s devolved regional parliament.

With no prospect of victory in two confidence votes later this week, Yousaf quit rather than face defeat.

“I’ve concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm,” he told reporters in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital. “I have therefore informed the SNP’s national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader.”

Yousaf will …