FORMER Scottish Labour leader Johann Lamont is facing a challenge from the SNP's Humza Yousaf at next year's Holyrood election.
Yousaf, the minister for Europe and International Development, will this week put himself forward for the SNP candidacy in Lamont's Glasgow Pollok constituency.
Nominations for the internal party selection open on Tuesday.
Lamont, who has been the area's MSP since 1999, confirmed she would defend the seat in May, but the omens are not good.
In 2011, her majority slumped from over 4,500 to just 623, and in the general election, the overlapping Westminster seat of Glasgow South West was won by the SNP on a massive 35 per cent swing against Labour.
However Lamont, 57, could also stand on the Glasgow regional list as a fallback.
Yousaf, 30, who was himself elected a Glasgow list MSP in 2011, said: "I love the whole city, however my heart lies with the communities of Glasgow Pollok.
"Through my work as an MSP I have seen how people across Glasgow Pollok, from Nitshill to Govan, from Arden to Penilee, have been punished by Westminster austerity.
"These are people who had nothing to do with the economic crash of the last few years but are paying the heaviest price for it.
"I want the people of Glasgow Pollok to have an MSP who will be a champion for their area.
"The decision to select a candidate for Glasgow Pollok will of course be one for the local membership of the SNP.
"I look forward to putting my case to them and hopefully having the privilege of representing the people of Glasgow Pollok in our nation's Parliament."
The former Hutchesons Grammar pupil, who lives outside the city in Eastwood, said he would also apply for the Glasgow list.
Chris Stephens, the new SNP MP for Glasgow South West added: "Humza will be an outstanding candidate for the SNP in the area."
Lamont, who stood down as Scottish Labour leader after three years last October in the wake of the referendum, said: "I'm very proud to be the MSP for Glasgow Pollok and I'm looking forward to the election. I've spent my entire adult fighting for a fairer Scotland with better opportunities for our young people and those will be the key issues next year."
Former SNP justice secretary Kenny MacAskill yesterday announced he would stand down at the Holyrood election. The Edinburgh Eastern MSP has been in parliament since 1999.
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