First Minister John Swinney has revealed he hopes to stay on in the role beyond the 2031 elections and possibly up to 2036.
Swinney, who resumed the position of SNP leader last year after Humza Yousaf resigned, hinted at the possibility of remaining first minister at the Association for Scottish Public Affairs conference.
It had been suspected, The Times reports, that Swinney would step down following the 2026 Holyrood election, but he has now confirmed he hopes to lead the SNP into the 2031 election.
If successful there, he could remain in office until 2036.
Speaking at the conference, Swinney said had been an "extraordinary privilege" to be first minister and, asked if he planned to lead the SNP into the 2031 election, replied: "Yes."
The Times reports projections indicate the SNP could secure 55 MSPs and the Scottish Greens could win 10 at next year’s Holyrood election.
That would create a pro-independence majority of one and hand Swinney a mandate to return to Bute House as first minister.