LONDON (AP) Scotlands first minister, Humza Yousaf, resigned on Monday rather than face a no-confidence vote just days after he torpedoed a coalition with the Green Party by ditching a target for fighting climate change.

Yousaf, whose Scottish National Party has been weakened by a campaign finance scandal and divisions over transgender rights, stepped down after failing to strike a deal with a breakaway nationalist party whose single seat could have given him a majority in Scotlands devolved regional parliament.

With no prospect of victory, Yousaf quit rather than face defeat later this week when Scottish lawmakers were scheduled to vote on motions of no confidence in Yousaf and his government.

After spending the weekend reflecting on what is best for my party, for the government and for the country I lead, Ive concluded that repairing our relationship across the political divide can only be done with someone else at the helm, he told reporters. I have therefore informed the SNPs national secretary of my intention to stand down as party leader.