The pro-independence Scottish National Party (SNP) has won the most seats in elections to the Scottish Parliament, final results showed today.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's party secured 63 out of 129 seats, not enough to form a majority government, meaning they will likely need the support of a smaller party like the Greens.
The result represents a fall in support from the previous SNP administration when the party had 69 seats and ruled alone in a majority government.
The Scottish Conservatives came second with 31 seats, a major success for a party long unpopular in Scotland, pushing Labour into third with 24 seats.
Speaking last night Ms Sturgeon said "what is now beyond doubt is that the SNP has won a third consecutive Scottish Parliament election."
"We have tonight made history."
The SNP had been hoping to increase its hold on power in Scotland and gain a mandate to move towards a second referendum on independence from the rest of Britain after a failed attempt in 2014.
Ms Sturgeon has said the referendum on Britain's EU membership in June could be a trigger for the SNP to demand another independence vote - if Britain as a whole votes to leave the EU but Scotland votes to stay in.
