Scotland's newly elected parliament will meet for the first time this week, with MSPs arriving at Holyrood to be sworn in and elect a new presiding officer. The SNP's Christine Grahame has become the first politician to put her name forward for the position.
Later in the week, members of the new parliament will vote to formally confirm Alex Salmond as the new first minister. MSPs will complete the registration process over the next few days, with the Kirking of the parliament at St Giles Cathedral on Tuesday.
On Wednesday, the first new parliamentary session will see MSPs taking the oath and electing the new presiding officer and two deputy presiding officers. Ms Grahame released a statement confirming her intention to stand for election, emphasising her experience as an MSP since 1999 and her commitment to backbenchers.
The SNP swept to victory in last week's election, winning 69 of the 129 seats. Labour has 37, the Tories 15, the Lib Dems five, and others three. During an address in Edinburgh, Mr Salmond said he would govern for all of Scotland's ambitions.
Labour's Iain Gray announced he would stand down as leader in the autumn, and Tavish Scott of the Liberal Democrats resigned over the weekend.
