Finance Secretary Kate Forbes has announced that she is standing to become SNP leader and First Minister.
The MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch announced her bid to replace Nicola Sturgeon via Twitter on Monday morning.
She tweeted: "I am today launching my bid to become Scotland's next First Minister, with the vision, experience and competence to inspire voters across Scotland."
Forbes released a video message alongside her tweet which said that she couldn't "sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination".
She also said that the party needs "someone who can unite our party and our movement" and she called herself a "unifier".
Forbes said that the country needs "somebody with a grip on our economy and our finances" adding that her "years managing Scotland’s budget and economy have given me the experience that we need to do just that."
Forbes said in her video: “Friends in the SNP, our nation and our movement are at a major crossroads. The choices that we make in the next few weeks will have a profound impact on our future and on our children’s future.
“I can’t sit back and watch our nation thwarted on the road to self-determination. Our small independent neighbours enjoy wealthier, fairer and greener societies and so should we.
“We urgently need to unleash the full talent of the SNP, the wider Yes movement and the country at large.
“We need to choose strong, competent leadership to deliver independence, the leadership that I can offer.
“I believe we need someone who can unite our party and our movement. I’m a unifier, I’ll reach out and listen so that every member feels valued and able to contribute.
“That’s also important if we’re to persuade others of the merits of independence. But right now we also need somebody with a grip on our economy and our finances.
“In the throes of a cost-of-living crisis and the need to plan for independence, my years managing Scotland’s budget and economy have given me the experience that we need to do just that.
“More than anything we need a leader who is bold, brave and energised, fresh faced and ready for new challenges.
“Somebody who inspires your confidence as an SNP member and who inspires the confidence of the people of Scotland to vote for a better future.
“I am that leader and I want to lead our party into better days with integrity and commitment for the sake of your children and my children.”
Nicola Sturgeon shocked the political world when she announced her resignation as SNP leader and First Minister at a press conference on Wednesday.
Forbes has long been seen as a potential successor to Sturgeon.
She was thrust into the limelight by having to step in and deliver the Scottish budget at the 11th hour in 2020 after her predecessor Derek Mackay resigned in disgrace.
Forbes will go up against health secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan.
Initial bookies' favourite Angus Robertson ruled himself out of the race on Monday morning, citing family reasons.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney, deputy party leader Keith Brown, environment minister Mairi McAllan and culture minister Neil Gray had already said that they wouldn't stand.
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
