Former First Minister of Scotland Alex Salmond has died at the age of 69, as reported by public channels this Saturday BBC. salmon he led the country between 2007 and 2014and was the architect of the independence referendum that won the ‘no’ vote, leading to him resigning from his post as chief minister

Salmond left the Scottish National Party in 2008 and then formed the pro-independence party, Alba, in 2021, with which he ran in the Scottish general election in May that year. According to BBChad died after falling ill in North Macedonia, and the pro-independence Alba party had asked the British Foreign Office to repatriate Salmond’s body.

The current First Minister of Scotland, Anas Sarwarhas confirmed Salmond’s death and highlighted that he was a “central figure in politics for more than three decades.” Furthermore, he stated that his “contribution to Scotland’s political landscape cannot be underestimated”: “We need to recognize Salmond’s service to our country as a senior minister.”

My statement on the sudden passing of former Prime Minister Alex Salmond. pic.twitter.com/i3bK0cgJh1

— Anas Sarwar (@AnasSarwar) October 12, 2024

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister, Labor Party Keir Starmerdescribed Salmond as a “monumental figure in Scottish and British politics”, who “left a lasting legacy”. “My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family and his loved ones. “On behalf of the British Government, I offer our condolences to them today,” the Prime Minister added.

For more than 30 years, Alex Salmond was a monumental figure in Scottish and British politics. He leaves a lasting legacy.

My thoughts are with those who knew him, his family, and his loved ones.

On behalf of the UK government I offer our condolences today. pic.twitter.com/LV70WrXHlD

– Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 12, 2024

Conservative leader and former British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has admitted, for his part, that “Alex Salmond is a very big figure” in British politics, although he has stressed that his views on constitutional issues are inconsistent: “While I disagree with him on the constitutional issue, one cannot deny that debating ability or interest in politics. Rest in peace.”

Extensive political experience

Alex Salmond was elected as leader SNP in 1990 and changed the party’s position to social democratic and pro-European. During his leadership, he succeeded in taking it to the highest level, especially when he won the 2007 election in Scotland with a minority vote and won with a majority in the 2011 election in a system designed so that no one could rule alone.

Salmond, who was Essocia’s chief minister between 2007 and 2014, was the architect of the failure of the 2014 independence referendum. After that failure, he passed the baton to Nicola Sturgeon.