FOLLOWING Thursday's election, the fifth session of the Scottish Parliament - since it was reconvened in 1999 - will begin this week.
The new MSPs will begin work today, arriving at Holyrood for registration. Under plans put forward by presiding officer Tricia Marwick, newly-elected members will begin a four-day induction programme, to acquaint them with the ways of Holyrood, for the first time. The scheme has attracted controversy in some quarters, being branded a taxpayer funded 'freshers' week' for politicians.
The ‘Kirking of the Parliament’, an ecumenical service of blessing, will take place on Wednesday. Prince Charles, Duke of Rothesay, will attend the event on Wednesday at St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh. He will be joined by newly elected MSPs and representatives of Scotland’s faiths.
It will be followed by a Reception for Parliamentary party leaders, MSPs and their staff in the Parliament Hall.
The first meeting of the new parliament will take place on Thursday. Tricia Marwick, presiding officer in the last term, will be present to see her replacement elected in a secret ballot. MSPs will take their oath or make the affirmation.
An opening ceremony, attended by the Queen, will take place on July 2. A day of events will commence with a procession of the Crown of Scotland down the Royal Mile to Holyrood.
The next Scottish Parliament elections are scheduled to take place on May 6, 2021.
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