On February 15, First Minister of Scotland and Leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) Nicola Ferguson Sturgeon announced that she would resign as first minister and SNP leader as soon as a successor was elected.
Her exit was said to be unexpected, with residents of her constituency calling the announcement "a real shock" and saying "there (had been) no hint", according to Guardian. She said her decision had come after "a deeper and longer-term assessment". As speculators insisted she had bowed to pressure over her government's gender reforms, she became the latest national leader to give up the top position unexpectedly.