NICOLA Sturgeon appears certain to become Scotland's first woman First Minister after securing support from senior cabinet colleagues and backbench MSPs.
Influential Nationalists including Finance Secretary John Swinney backed the Deputy First Minister to succeed Alex Salmond when he steps down in November.
A number of potential challengers have already ruled themselves out of a possible contest to replace Mr Salmond, who has led the SNP for 20 of the past 24 years.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, Mr Swinney said Ms Sturgeon would be an "excellent successor".
He said: "I am encouraging Nicola to stand.
"I think she has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities over the last 10 years as deputy leader of the party.
"I think she has all the attributes and strength required to take our party and our country forward."
Mr Swinney, a former party leader, is among seven cabinet ministers who have endorsed Ms Sturgeon.
Within minutes of Mr Salmond's dramatic resignation announcement on Friday, she said it would be a privilege to lead her party.
She is expected to declare her candidacy this week.
Education Secretary Michael Russell and Health Secretary Alex Neil, both former leadership challengers, have ruled themselves out and also backed Ms Sturgeon.
Mr Neil said: "I think it is time we had a woman first minister. She is absolutely the right person for the job to succeed."
Support has also come from Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill, Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Sport Secretary Shona Robison.
Ms Robison, a long-time friend and ally of the Deputy First Minister, said: "She'd make a fantastic leader and first minister and she would have my full support. I have always known Nicola would be an outstanding leader of the SNP at some point and her time is now."
Roseanna Cunningham, the Community Safety Minister who has previously challenged for the leadership, has also ruled herself out. Ms Sturgeon would also be able to rely on strong support from backbench MSPs.
Jamie Hepburn, the MSP for Cumbernauld and Kilsyth, said: "Nicola is the stand-out candidate, that's why I'm backing her."
If a challenger emerges, the SNP will ballot its 30,486 members but support from senior MSPs is seen as highly valuable.
The new leader will be unveiled at the party's annual conference from November 13 to 15 and formally voted in as First Minister by MSPs at Holyrood the following week.
If Ms Sturgeon is elected unopposed, members may still have to vote to choose a new deputy.
Among those tipped to stand are Derek Mackay, the Local Government Minister, Angela Constance, the Cabinet Secretary for Women's Employment, and External Affairs Minister Humza Yousaf.
Mr Yousaf, the government's youngest minister at 28, yesterday ruled himself out of challenging for the top job when he tweeted: "No ifs, no buts, no mibbees - I am Team Sturgeon".
Mr Lochhead and Ms Constance have also been tipped.
However, some in the party believe the new deputy should be an MP able to lead pressure on the main UK parties to deliver on their promise of more powers for Holyrood.
Angus Robertson, the party's Westminster leader and defence spokesman, may be persuaded to throw his hit in the ring, insiders said.
The SNP will open nominations for the posts in the coming days, with potential candidates likely to have three weeks to declare.
Ms Sturgeon, who joined the SNP at 16, is also the Cabinet Secretary for Infrastructure, Investment and Cities. She was given responsibility for the referendum campaign, earning her the nickname, the "Yes minister".
Despite the Nationalists' defeat by 55 per cent to 45 per cent, winning a majority for independence in her home city of Glasgow has strengthened the feeling in the party that she can harness the support of a new generation of political activists who emerged during the referendum campaign.
The new leader will have to decide whether to press for another referendum in the next few years or concentrate on securing more powers for the Scottish Parliament.
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