Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay elected Scottish Greens co-leaders

MSPs Ross Greer and Gillian Mackay have been elected as the new co-leaders of the Scottish Greens.

The pair replace Patrick Harvie, who did not seek re-election, and Lorna Slater, who was defeated in the leadership contest.

Harvie was Holyrood’s longest-serving leader after 17 years in the role, while Slater had held the post alongside him since 2019.

Greer and Mackay also saw off a challenge from Green member Dominic Ashmole, who unsuccessfully stood for the party in the 2024 general election.

The contest was decided in a ballot of 950 Scottish Green members.

Mackay won in the first round with 34% of the vote. Greer then defeated Slater in the second round by 317 to 304.

Aged 31, Greer is the youngest party leader at Holyrood.

The West Scotland MSP also holds the record as the youngest ever MSP after being elected aged 21 in 2016.

Mackay, 34, has been MSP for Central Scotland since 2021.

She successfully spearheaded the bill creating buffer zones at abortion clinics.

Mackay said the election result marked a “generational shift” in the leadership of the party.

She told a news conference in Edinburgh: “Together, Ross and I will lead with courage and listen with intent, with members at the heart of our movement.”