Government of the 3rd Scottish Parliament

First Salmond government
5th devolved government of Scotland
2007–2011
Date formed	16 May 2007
Date dissolved	18 May 2011
People and organisations
Head of government	Alex Salmond
Head of state	Elizabeth II
Total number of ministers	16
Member party	Scottish National Party
Status in legislature	Minority
History
Election(s)	2007
Outgoing election	2011
Legislature term(s)	3rd Scottish Parliament
Predecessor	Second McConnell government
Successor	Second Salmond government

The first Salmond government, which was sworn in on 16 May 2007 at the start of the 3rd Scottish Parliament, was a Scottish National Party minority government.

Having won the largest number of seats in the general election (47 of 129) the SNP sought to form a coalition with the Scottish Liberal Democrats. When those talks failed, the SNP chose to form a one-party minority government. The SNP and Scottish Greens signed an agreement where the Greens supported SNP ministerial appointments, but did not offer support for any confidence or budget votes ("confidence and supply"). SNP leader Alex Salmond was elected first minister on 16 May 2007; his slate of ministerial appointments were ratified by the Scottish Parliament the following day.

On 16 May 2007, a few hours after Salmond was sworn in by parliament, he announced his intention to form a government composed of five cabinet secretaries and ten junior ministers. Furthermore, the Lord Advocate lost her seat in the cabinet.

A cabinet reshuffle took place in February 2009.

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