Patrick Harvie has revealed his decision to step down as co-leader of the Scottish Greens. The Glasgow MSP and former Scottish government minister will continue in his role until the party organizes a leadership contest during the summer. Harvie has expressed his intention to run for re-election as an MSP in the upcoming Scottish Parliament election.
Having served as the party chief at Holyrood for nearly 17 years, Harvie has been a prominent figure in Scottish politics. Alongside co-leader Lorna Slater, he made history by becoming the first Green minister in the UK following a power-sharing agreement with the SNP in 2021. Reflecting on his time in leadership, Harvie described it as an “extraordinary privilege.” He highlighted the growth and impact of the Greens within Scottish politics over the years.
During his tenure, Harvie and Slater played pivotal roles in shaping important policies concerning gender recognition reforms, climate change, rent controls, and the implementation of a bottle return deposit scheme. Despite the collapse of the power-sharing deal known as the Bute House Agreement in 2023, Harvie continued to advocate for crucial issues such as climate change targets and rent controls. As per party regulations, Green leaders serve two-year terms, with the next election scheduled for the summer, ensuring gender diversity within leadership roles. Harvie’s announcement precedes the party’s upcoming spring conference in Stirling
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