First Salmond government

The first Salmond government, which was sworn in on 17 May 2007 at the start of the 3rd Scottish Parliament, was an SNP minority government. Having won the largest number of seats in the general election (47 of 129) the SNP sought to form a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats. When those talks failed, the SNP chose to form a one-party minority government. The SNP and Scottish Greens signed an agreement where the Greens supported SNP ministerial appointments, but did not offer support for any confidence or budget votes ("confidence and supply").^[1] SNP leader, Alex Salmond was elected First Minister on 16 May 2007; he was officially sworn in and his slate of ministerial appointments were ratified by the Scottish Parliament the following day.

Date formed17 May 2007

Date dissolved19 May 2011

MonarchElizabeth II

First MinisterAlex Salmond

Quick facts Date formed, Date dissolved ...

First Salmond government
5th government of Scotland
2007–2011
Salmond and his cabinet at Bute House, 2007
Date formed	17 May 2007
Date dissolved	19 May 2011
People and organisations
Monarch	Elizabeth II
First Minister	Alex Salmond
First Minister's history	MSP for Banff and Buchan (1999–2001) MSP for Aberdeenshire East (2007–2016)
Deputy First Minister	Nicola Sturgeon
Total no. of members	16
Member parties	Scottish National Party
Status in legislature	Minority
Opposition party	Scottish Labour Party
Opposition leader	Jack McConnell (2007) Cathy Jamieson (2007) Wendy Alexander (2007-08) Cathy Jamieson (2008) Iain Gray (2008-11)
History
Election	2007 general election
Outgoing election	2011 general election
Legislature term	3rd Scottish Parliament
Budgets	2008 Scottish budget 2009 Scottish budget 2010 Scottish budget 2011 Scottish budget
Predecessor	Second McConnell government
Successor	Second Salmond government

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