Polling stations open: Super Election Day in Scotland, Wales and England

The outcome of the parliamentary elections in Scotland, where the ruling Scottish National Party headed by Sturgeon is hoping for an absolute majority, is expected with great enthusiasm.

In the regional and local elections in Great Britain, polling stations open Thursday morning (8 AM CET). New regional parliaments will be created in Scotland and Wales. Throughout most of England, people are electing new councils, county councils and mayors – including in London. Voting slips can be served until 11 PM (CEST). For the most part, results aren’t expected until the end of the week.

The results of the parliamentary elections await in Scotland, where the ruling Scottish National Party headed by Prime Minister Nicolas Sturgeon is hoping for an absolute majority with great anticipation. According to surveys, it should be very narrow. The Scottish National Party is calling for a second referendum for Scottish independence, but it is counting on approval from the central government in London. The SNP currently governs the tolerance of Scottish Greens. It is hoped that the absolute majority will increase the pressure on London.

Separation from the United Kingdom?

In the first referendum in 2014, 55 percent of Scots spoke against their country’s secession from the United Kingdom. However, the Scottish National Party argues that the situation has fundamentally changed with Brexit, which Scottish voters have largely rejected.

In London, the incumbent Labor Party, Sadiq Khan, is running for a second term as mayor. According to opinion polls, he is far ahead of his conservative rival, Sean Bailey, in the election.

(Ma / dpa)