What are a First Minister's duties?

The first minister is the leader of a devolved government and is the most senior elected politician in Scotland. They can be from any of the political parties, but normally from the party with most MSP's, which will normally be the party in power. He is responsible for formulation, development, implementation and presentation of Government policy, constitutional affairs and for promoting and representing Scotland. Another job of the first minister is to choose the Scottish Executive, which take charge of important areas of policy and puts forward new bills. Scotland's current first minister is Alex Salmond. MSP's have the chance to scrutinise the activities of the first minister and his cabinet. A direct questioning of the First Minister takes place each Thursday at noon, when Parliament is sitting. The 30 minute session enables MSP's to ask questions of the First Minister, on any topic. The leaders of the largest opposition parties have an allocation of questions and are allowed to question the First Minister each week. The first minister is the leader of a devolved government and is the most senior elected politician in Scotland. They can be from any of the political parties, but normally from the party with most MSP's, which will normally be the party in power. He is responsible for formulation, development, implementation and presentation of Government policy, constitutional affairs and for promoting and representing Scotland. Another job of the first minister is to choose the Scottish Executive, which take charge of important areas of policy and puts forward new bills. Scotland's current first minister is Alex Salmond. MSP's have the chance to scrutinise the activities of the first minister and his cabinet. A direct questioning of the First Minister takes place each Thursday at noon, when Parliament is sitting. The 30 minute session enables MSP's to ask questions of the First Minister, on any topic. The leaders of the largest opposition parties have an allocation of questions and are allowed to question the First Minister each week.